Comparative Study of Two Nigerian Indigenous Chickens: Body Weight and Linear Body Measurements

This study was designed to identify and provide comparative information that exit between the two Nigerian ecotype chickens, namely: Fulani ecotype chickens and Yoruba ecotype chickens with particular reference to their weight and linear body measurements in Paiko, Niger State, Nigeria. A total of 80 indigenous chickens (comprising 40 Fulani ecotype chickens and 40 Yoruba ecotype chickens) were used in the study. The experimental birds were raised for 24 weeks under intensive management systems. Mean and standard error of means on body weight (BWT), body length (BL), beak length (BKL), body girth (BG), wing length (WL), shank length (SL) and thigh length (THL) were taken and subjected to Pearson correlation analysis to obtain the relationship between body weight and linear body measurements. The findings showed that males of the two breeds were significantly (P<0.05) heavier and had longer bodies , better body girth, beak length, shank length, and thigh length than the females. A Comparison of the two breeds also revealed that Fulani ecotype chicken was significantly (P<0.05) better than the Yoruba ecotype chickens for the traits evaluated. Correlation on body weight and linear body measurements of the Fulani ecotype chickens and the Yoruba ecotype chickens were strong (P<0.01) and positively correlated except in shank length (P<0.05) in the Fulani ecotype chickens It is concluded that breed differences do exist between the two indigenous Nigerian chicken breeds studied and these difference are in favor of the males and the Fulani ecotype chickens.