EFFECTS OF LOCATIONS ON PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERISTICS OF FULANI CHICKEN ECOTYPES

Abstract

The experiment was conducted using 250 matured birds from 5 different locations in 2 phases. The first phase was carried out using fifty birds each from the five randomly selected locations. The birds were used to determine body linear measurements such as body length, shank length, wing length, beak length and breast girth. However, for the second phase, fifty (50) hens and five cocks were purchased from each location. This comprised of ten hens and 1 cock from each locality and bred using a mating ratio of 1 cock to 10 hens. Data collected on all the parameters of body linear measurement, egg production and egg quality characteristics were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and correlation procedure of SPSS Statistical software (2011). The result obtained indicated that location had significant (P≤0.05) effects on body weight, body linear measurements, egg production and correlations among these parameters. However, location had no significant (P>0.05) effects on external and internal egg quality characteristics except for egg weight and egg shell weight. HDEP was consistently higher than HHEP across location. Correlations between body weight
and body linear measurements were generally high, positive and non significant. From the findings of this research it was recommended that selection of Fulani chicken should be location driven. Also, shank length and breast girth should be used to determine body weight of Fulani chickens than any other body measurements.