Genetic characterization of local chickens population based on their quantitative traits in the tropics, Nigeria

  • Authors

    • Sylvia John-Jaja Babcock University
    • Abdur-Rahman Abdullah Babcock University
    • Samuel Nwokolo University of Calabar
    2018-04-05
    https://doi.org/10.14419/jas.v1i1.9971
  • Genetic Analysis, Repeatability Estimates, Linear Body Measurement, Chickens Traits, Poultry.
  • This study was conducted to explore the genetic characterization of local chickens based on their quantitative traits in the Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria. The total flock number recorded in this survey was 192 chickens, 98 female, 46 male and 48 chicks from 58 household. The parameters recorded were body length, shank length, neck length, wing span from udder, wing span from top, chest circumference, head length and beck. Repeatability estimates were also carried between the male and female local chickens and on the whole, female birds were more repeatable compared to male birds. Principal component analysis with variance maximizing orthogonal rotation was used to extract the components. Three principal components were extracted in male which explained 83.3% of the total variation in the original variables. Similarly three principal components extracted in female accounted for 74.3% of the total variance respectively. Generally, Principal component analysis 1 had the largest share of the total variance and correlated highly with breast width, wing length, thigh length, shank length and body length. Principal component analysis 1 could be used to describe the generalized form of male and female local chickens. Principal component analysis 2 was orthogonal to Principal component analysis 1 and loaded heavily on neck length and body length. The subsequent component, Principal component analysis 3, was highly correlated with body length, shank length, wing span from udder, and beck. The three principal components could be used to define body size of local chickens. These components could be used as selection criteria for improving body size of local chickens.

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    John-Jaja, S., Abdullah, A.-R., & Nwokolo, S. (2018). Genetic characterization of local chickens population based on their quantitative traits in the tropics, Nigeria. SPC Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 1(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.14419/jas.v1i1.9971