Nigerian Local Chicken Research Articles

OPTIMISATION OF N-ETHYL-N-NITROSOUREA (ENU) DOSE FOR MUTAGENESIS IN THE NIGERIAN YORUBA ECOTYPE CHICKEN

The optimal dose and regime of ENU for mutagenesis in the chicken was determined through dose titration (Omg/kg body weight, control group; 100mg; 200mg; 300mg and 400mg/kg body weight) and regime variation (single shot, half dose in each of two consecutive weeks, and 1/3 dose in each of 3 consecutive weeks) studies in one hundred and twenty (120) 25 week-old improved Nigerian local chicken cocks. The study was laid out as a 5 X 3 factorial layout of treatments within a completely randomized experimental design. Eight individually tagged cocks were assigned to each treatment. Mortality was recorded over 48 hours from the point of each ENU administration. From week 5 -14 following completion of the assigned ENU dose/regime, semen was collected from each ENU mutagenized cock twice weekly and used to inseminate two Issa Brown commercial layers hens i.e. 1:2 mating ratio and a total of 240 hens used. Eggs were collected over a period of 5 days in each week and set in an egg incubator to test fertility (candling at day 12). The data showed that ENU dose and regime independently and significantly (p<0.05) control fertility. The 400mg dose produced significantly lower fertility than the control group throughout the examined period, indicating an absence of recovery of fertility to levels comparable to the Control group. There was transient loss of fertility in the 300mg dose group relative to the control group in weeks 6, 8, 10, 11 and 13 and at week 14, fertility was not significantly (p>0.05) different from the control group. The 200mg dose showed no significant loss of fertility throughout the experimental period, and this was mirrored in the 100 mg group except at week 10. ENU regime significantly (p<0.05) determined fertility at weeks 7 and 9-11 only. Administration of 1/3 dose in each of 3 consecutive weeks resulted in the longest period of consistent loss of fertility (weeks 9-11) relative to the group given the assigned dose in a single shot regime. Cumulative mortality within 48 hours after ENU administration was significantly determined by dose (Omg, 100 mg, 200 mg < 300 mg < 400mg) and regime (1 dose > 2 doses, 3 doses). The 300 mg dose administered in 3 equal fractions over 3 weeks resulted in transient sterility and recovery and is therefore recommended for ENU in Nigerian local chicken.

EFFECT OF GENOTYPE ON LAYING PERFORMANCE OF LOCAL CHICKEN IN THE HUMID TROPICAL ENVIRONMENT

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of genotype on the laying performance of Nigerian local chicken. The experiment was carried out using 99 local chicken of the three genotypes, comprising of 90 hens and 9 cocks (33 frizzle feather, 33 naked-neck feather and 33 normal feathered). Eggs were collected from the different genotypes for 8 weeks. The laying performance traits were egg number, Hen-Housed (%) and Hen-Day (%) egg production. Data collected were subjected to ANOVA in a Completely Randomised Design. The Hen-Day egg production showed significant differences (P<0.05) in all the weeks. Naked-neck genotype performed better in terms of Hen-Day egg production than the other two genotypes and had highest values in week 1 (27.14±0.01 )week 5 (27.60±0.09), week 7 (34.53±1.13) and week 8 (16.30±0.03). There were significant differences (P<0.05) in all the weeks for Hen-Housed egg production and naked-neck also performed better than the frizzled and normal feather apart from week 2, 3 and 6. The naked-neck genotype had highest mean values in week l, 4, 5, 7 and 8 with 27.18±0.06, 25.70±0.02, 19.33±0.67, 24.08±0.22 and 11.39±0.03 respectively for Hen-Housed egg production. The naked-neck had significantly (P<O.05) higher values for egg number when compared with frizzle and normal feathered genotypes. The values ranged between 5.67±0.67 to 2.00±0.10 (naked-neck), 6.33±0.33 to 2.67±0.67 (frizzle) and 3.33±0.33 to 1.33±0.33 (normal). It is therefore, reasonable to incorporate the naked-neck and frizzled feather genotypes of local chicken in producing locally-adapted commercial eggs.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BEHAVIOUR AND MORPHOMETRIC TRAITS IN YOUNG CHICKENS

The correlation between behavioural (anxiety, sociality and cognition in Open Field, T-Maze, Forced Approach and Voluntary Approach tests) traits on the one hand and morphometric traits including body weight, length of body parts (Body length, Body girth, Shank length, Keel length, Wing length) and associated growth rates, Body mass Index, and Body girth: Body length ratio) from age 1 to age 8 weeks on the other, was examined in a cohort of 44 chickens consisting of 22 local (Yoruba Nigerian Local Chicken) and 22 exotic (11 Hubbard Broiler and 11 Isa Brown Layer) chickens. The levels of correlation between 160 directly measured and derived traits (of which 44 were behavioural) was determined by the use of the Pearson's method. A matrix of correlation coefficients of all 12,720 possible unique pairwise comparisons was generated. Of the 5104 Behavioural vs. Morphometric trait correlations, Low (-0.3< r < 0.3), Medium (0.3 <r< 0.7 and -0.3>r<-0.7) and High (0.7<r<1.0 and -0.7 r < -0.7) inter-trait correlations were observed in 83%, 16% and 1% of cases respectively, and the highest Positive and Negative Coefficients observed were 0.75 and +0.75 respectively By contrast, in the 6730 unique Behavioural vs. Behavioural plus Morphometric vs. Morphometric trait correlations, Low, Moderate and High inter-trait correlations were observed in 18%, 26% and 56% of cases respectively, and the highest Positive and Negative Coefficients observed were 1.00 and + 1:00 respectively. Consideration of absolute coefficient values revealed a median coefficient of 0.27 (Low Correlation). All coefficients of correlation equal to or exceeding +0.33/- 0.33 were significant (p < 0.05). The highest positive coefficients of correlations (r 0.7, High Positive Correlation) between behavioural and non-behavioural traits correspond to a link between Latency to cross the first square in an Open Field Test (which embodies anxiety and locomotory components) at age 7 weeks and Body size (BW, BL, SL, WL, BG) as shown in Table 2 and Figure 1. High coefficients of correlation were also observed between Latency to cross the first square in an Open Field Test (which embodies anxiety and locomotory components) at age 7 days and Body size (BW, WL, KL, SL, BMI) as shown in Table 2 and Figure 1. In addition, high positive correlation (r0.7) was observed between Time resting in an OFT at age 48 days on the one hand, and body size (BW, BG, GLR, BMI) as shown in Table 2 and Figure 1. The high negative coefficients of correlation occurred between Time ambulating in an Open Field Test (Behavioural traits) at age 6 weeks on the one hand and body weight, body shape and fatness indices (Morphometric traits) including BW, BG. GLR and BMI (Figure 1 and Table 2). These data point to the potential utility of morphometric traits as heurictic/surrogate markers for behavioural traits in poultry breeding and management. Further, they suggest that determinants of activity in a stressful environment may determine body weight and size of chickens as has been observed in humans and laboratory animals with consequences for the incidence and progression of non-communicable metabolic dysfunction/diseases and their sequelae., and/or alternatively, that determinants of early body weight and size determine activity in under anxiety inducing stress, as has been shown in the relationship between obesity and stress related health conditions in humans. Further studies will partition the genotype and environmental influences on the high correlation between behaviour and morphometric traits reported here, and will define the underlying molecular basis of the former.

Testing of Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium in Population of Two Nigerian Local Chicken Ecotypes Base on Location

Test of deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium expectation base on location of the Tiv and Fulani local chicken ecotypes of Nigeria was undertaken using eighty (80) matured birds (40 birds each for Tiv and Fulani ecotypes). Blood samples were collected from five locations each of the ecotype to determine their blood protein. Blood protein loci namely: haemoglobin, albumen, transferrin and carbonic anhydrase were determine using electrophoresis. Data collected were analyzed using popgene version 1.31. The result revealed significant deviations (P<0.05) from Hardy-Weinberg expectations in the two ecotypes except in the Fulani ecotype were haemoglobin did not deviate significantly. Based on location, there were no significant (P>0.05) deviation from Hardy-Weinberg expectations in the Fulani ecotype except in location 4 were Hb, Al and Ca as well as location 5 where Al and Ca were significant. Allelic frequencies of albumin showed significant (P<0.05) deviation from Hardy-Weinberg expectations at locations 1 and 5 while allelic frequencies of transferrin deviated significantly (P<0.05) from the Hardy-Weinberg frequency at location 5. In the Tiv ecotype, albumin showed the highest significant (P<0.05) deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg expectations in all locations. The allelic frequencies of transferrin did not differ significantly (P>0.05) from the Hardy-Weinberg expectations. From the finding of this research, it was concluded that the deviation from Hardy-Weinberg expectations at the four blood proteins loci of the two ecotypes indicated that the Tiv and the Fulani chicken populations are variable in their genome and that there are chances of genetic improvement when crossed between themselves across location or with exotic breeds. Generally, these findings provide the fundamental step in the direction of judicious decision-making before the development of genetic enhancement and preservation programmes without interfering with the uniqueness of the Tiv............

Comparative Study on Egg Characteristics of Yoruba Ecotype Nigerian Local Chickens and Isa Brown Chickens Fed Graded Levels of Moringa oleifera Seed Meal

Background: Moringa oleifera seed meal is a potential noble feed ingredient that could be incorporated into the diet of poultry. It is a potential cheaper alternative considering its ability to thrive under all climatic conditions in Nigeria, West Africa. The study was aimed at evaluating the effects of the dietary inclusion of Moringa oleifera seed meal (MOSM) on the egg characteristics, feed conversion ratio and body weight of parameters of Yoruba Ecotype Nigerian Local Chickens (YENLC) and Isa Brown chickens. Methods: The study assessed the comparative influence of dietary MOSM on the egg characteristics of YENLC and Isa Brown chickens. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance using the general linear model procedure of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 22. Result: The findings of this study were that: dietary inclusion of MOSM affected the egg characteristics of YENLC and Isa Brown chickens. Egg length, egg width, yolk weight and yolk height decreased significantly (p less than 0.05) with increasing levels of MOSM. There was significant interaction (p less than 0.05) between MOSM inclusion and genotypes of chickens. For both genotypes, egg number was significantly higher (p less than 0.05) till 5% inclusion level of MOSM while hen day production reduced with increasing levels of MOSM. It can thus be concluded that MOSM can be included for both genotypes up till 10% but YENLC would still perform better at 15% when compared with the Isa Brown hens.

Effect of honey on performance and hematological parameters of broilers and Nigerian local chickens

A six week feeding trail was conducted to investigate the effect of honey on the performance and haematological parameters of broilers and Nigerian Local Chickens. The experiment was conducted at the Niger Delta University, Faculty of Agriculture Teaching and Research Farm. Sixty (60) day old chicks which consisted of three treatments, 20 broilers, 20 normal feather and 20 naked neck genotypes were used with each of the genotype having control. Feed and water were given ad-libitum. The experimental birds for the broiler and naked neck genotypes had the highest significant values compared to the control which had significant difference (P<0.05) in their performance, while the control of the normal feather genotype had the highest significant values compared to the experimental birds but there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in their performance. The broiler birds had the highest significant values compared to normal feather and naked neck genotypes and there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in their performance. The effect of honey on haematological parameters showed that there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in White blood cell, neutrophils, lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophile and basophile of broiler birds, in normal feather, white blood cell, neutrophile and lymphocyte differed significantly (P<0.05) and there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in neutrophile and lymphocyte in the experimental and control for naked neck genotype. In conclusion, the study revealed that the inclusion of honey caused a positive effect on the performance of broilers and naked neck, but showed no effect or reduction in performance in normal feather genotype.

Comparative Egg Production, Quality and Hatchability in Three Chicken Genotypes under Humid Tropical Conditions

Comparative study on egg production and hatchability characteristics in Nigerian local (NL; n=24), FUNAAB-α (F-α; n=24) and Transylvanian naked neck (TNN; n=24) chickens aged 25 weeks old was carried out for 4 weeks. Three hundred and sixty hatchable eggs each were used for quality characteristics determination and for incubation. F-α had significantly (P<0.001) higher egg production (90.3%) than TNN (76.9%) while TNN was higher than NL (58.3%). Egg weight (EWT), length, width and surface area, albumen height, weight, percentage and index, shell weight, color and internal quality unit (IQU) were significantly (P<0.001) affected by genotype. These followed the pattern: NL<F-α<TNN. F-α and TNN had significantly (P<0.001) higher values than NL in egg shape index, yolk weight, height and diameter. Yolk colour index was significantly (P<0.01) higher in TNN than in F-α. Yolk percentage and yolk-albumen ratio followed the pattern: NL>F-α>TNN. NL had (P<0.001) thicker and higher shell percentage (SP) than F-α and TNN. Higher Haugh unit (HU) was recorded in TNN than in NL and F-α. Fertility was significantly (P<0.05) higher in F-α than in TNN. Hatchability was not (P>0.05) affected by genotype. Chick weight and chick: egg ratio were significantly (P<0.001) by genotype. TNN had higher chick weight and yield than F-α and NL chicks. In conclusion, F-α laid more eggs than others, exhibited higher fertility with longer chicks at hatch. TNN is superior in EWT, HU, IQU and chick yield. NL had higher SP than others.
 Keywords: Egg production, Egg quality, FUNAAB alpha chicken, Hatchability, Transylvanian naked neck chicken.

Embryonic Development and Early Juvenile Growth of Nigerian Local Chickens in Crosses with Exotic Broiler Breeder under Humid Tropical Conditions

Embryonic Development and Early Juvenile Growth of Nigerian Local Chickens in Crosses with Exotic Broiler Breeder under Humid Tropical Conditions

Clinical and gross-pathological changes in Muscovy ducks and Nigerian local chickens infected with Newcastle disease virus (XIVb strain)

No Abstract.

Growth performance and haematological traits of Nigerian local chickens fed varied dietary protein levels

This study was carried out to investigate the growth performance and haematological traits of Nigerian local chickens (NLC) fed varied dietary protein levels. An eleven week feeding trial was done in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement using six treatment groups comprising a combination of two genotypes of the NLC' identified as normal leather (na) and naked neck (Na) and three dietary protein levels - high protein: HP (22% and 20% CP chick mash and grower mash respectively), medium protein: MP (20% and 18% chick mash and grower mash respectively) and low protein: LP (18% and 16% chick mash and grower mash). Data were collected on growth performance traits (body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio). At the end of the feeding trial a haematological assay was done. Neither genotype nor interaction of genotype and dietary protein level influenced (p>0.05) any of the growth performance traits studied. Birds on HP ate 10.21% and 7.09% less feed than those on MP and LP respectively. A better (p<0.05) protein efficiency ratio (up 10 20.79%) was observed in birds fed LP. Na birds had 4.55% and 17.50x704L-1 more packed cell volume and platelets respectively than na birds (p<0.05). All haematological traits studied, except white blood cell count, showed significant variations (p<0.05) due to varied dietary protein levels. Higher haemoglobin, red blood cell counts, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and platelets were observed in birds fed LP diet. Reducing the dietary protein level had no adverse effect on the NLC thus, the LP diet is recommended for raising the Nigerian local chicken.

Relationship between markers and quantitative traits in the Nigerian local chicken

A 20-week experiment was conducted to determine the relationship between markers and some quantitative traits in the Nigerian Local chicken. A total of fifty normal female chickens, about 16-18 weeks of age were used for the study. Data were collected bi-weekly on physiological and biochemical markers (packed cell volume, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, leucocyte count, blood haemoglobin, blood glucose, rectal temperature) and quantitative traits (egg weight, shell thickness, Haugh unit, body weight, short term egg production) from each bird. The association between each identified marker and the quantitative traits was determined using Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient. Rectal temperature showed significant (P < 0.05) positive association with shell thickness and body weight. Packed cell volume showed significant (p < 0.05) positive association with Haugh unit. However, significant (p < 0.01) negative association was found between rectal temperature and Haugh unit. Packed cell volume showed significant (p < 0.01) negative association with shell thickness and egg weight (p < 0.05). Other markers did not show any significant association with the quantitative traits studied. The results of this study suggest that since packed cell volume and rectal temperature showed definite association with important quantitative traits, they should be included in the marker bank that could be used by animal breeders and producers in marker assisted selection.

EGG QUALITY OF THE NIGERIAN LOCAL CHICKEN AS INFLUENCED BY SOME MAJOR GENES

An investigations was carried out to determine the effect of the major genes of frizzling and naked neck on the external and internal egg quality traits of the Nigerian local chicken. Egg weight significantly (P < 0.01) favoured the frizzled local chicken and the naked-necked local chicken over the fully feathered (normal ) local chicken. The frizzling gene, F, caused an increase of 8.13% in weight while the naked neck gene Na, increased egg weight by 5.85%. The Na gene caused the production of better egg shape index (0.73) when compared to F and nana, ff genotypes. Eggs of frizzed and naked-neck locals also had significantly (P < 0.05) better Haugh unit, percent shell, percent albumen and percent yolk than the normal feathered counterpart. It is therefore reasonable to incorporate the major genes frizzling and naked-neck in producing a locally-adapter commercial egg strain

THE STUDY OF HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN THE NIGERIAN LOCAL CHICKEN

An investigation was conducted to study the haematological parameters of the Nigerian local chicken using a total of 100 local chickens out of which 30 were randomly selected for bleeding. The blood samples were subjected to laboratory analysis to identify their haemoglobin contents, fragility and sedimentation rates as well as red blood cell counts, white blood cell counts and coagulation time. The results indicated that haemoglobin content ranged from 63.82 - 78.,43% with a mean of 70,43%, fragility and sedimentation rates ranged from 0.40 - 0.85% osmotic equivalent, coagulation time from 3.82 -6.25 minutes with a mean of 4.61 minutes, the red blood cell counts from 1.93 - 2.96 (x10°/ul) with a mean of 2.5 (x10°/ul) and white blood cell counts from 962 - 1,868 cells/ul with a mean of 1,216 cells/ul. It is believed that the establishment of the normal blood characteristics of the local chicken as done in this study, can be of immense aid in detecting abnormalities in the blood characteristics which can be used in diagnosing certain blood related diseases.

Growth performance and haematological traits of Nigerian local chickens fed varied dietary protein levels

This study was carried out to investigate the growth performance and haematological traits of Nigerian local chickens (NLC) fed varied dietary protein levels. An eleven week feeding trial was done in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement using six treatment groups comprising a combination of two genotypes of the NLC identified as normal feather (na) and naked neck (Na) and three dietary protein levels - high protein: HP (22% and 20% CP chick mash and grower mash respectively), medium protein: MP (20% and 18% chick mash and grower mash respectively) and low protein: LP (18% and 16% chick mash and grower mash). Data were collected on growth performance traits (body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio). At the end of the feeding trial a haematological assay was done. Neither genotype nor interaction of genotype and dietary protein level influenced (p>0.05) any of the growth performance traits studied. Birds on HP ate 10.21% and 7.09% less feed than those on MP and LP respectively. A better (p<0.05) protein efficiency ratio (up to 20.79%) was observed in birds fed LP. Na birds had 4.55% and 17.50x103 L-1 more packed cell volume and platelets respectively than na birds (p<0.05). All haematological traits studied, except white blood cell count, showed significant variations (p<0.05) due to varied dietary protein levels. Higher haemoglobin, red blood cell counts, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and platelets were observed in birds fed LP diet. Reducing the dietary protein level had no adverse effect on the NLC thus, the LP diet is recommended for raising the Nigerian local chicken.

REPEATABILITY OF GROWTH TRAITS IN NIGERIAN LOCAL CHICKENS USING EARLY RECORDS

One hundred and ninety-six records of body weight (WT), shank length (SL), keel length (KL), breast width (BW) and a principal component measure of body size (PCI) from a closed random-mated population of Nigerian local chickens of mixed sexes and genotypes were analyzed, using two records (2- and 4 - Week) from each individual. The repeatability of body weight (0.12±0.071) was low, indicating that selection for 4-week body weight may not result in higher lifetime average body weight. On the other hand, PCI had a high repeatability of 0.55±0.050, indicating that an appreciable amount of genetic improvement in lifetime average body size can be realized by using this trait as selection criterion. PCI is therefore recommended for selection purposes as it is a more reliable measure of an animal's overall body size. Although repeatabilities of SL (0.33±0.064), KL (0.38±0.061) and BW (0.21±0.068) were moderate, selection based on them singly may not be useful in improving overall body growth of an animal, unless selection is designed to improve specific body areas of prime economic value.

MOLECULAR GENETIC ANALYSIS OF DIVERSITY IN VILLAGE CHICKENS IN NIGERIA

Indigenous chickens obtained from the central and northern parts of Nigeria were evaluated for incidence and frequencies of endogenous viral, ev, genes 1, 3, 15 and 21 using blood samples collected by branchial venipuncture from free ranging adult birds of both sexes. Results indicated that 60.7% of the birds do not carry any of the four ev elements and that none of the birds carried genes for ev I. The frequencies ev 1, 3, 15 and 21 genes were 0.00, 0.07, 0.07 and 0.24. Significantly (P<0.05) higher frequencies of birds carrying the homozygous negative genes for each of the four ev elements are expected among the local chicken. Significantly (P<0.05) higher frequency of birds carrying the heterozygous than the homozygous positive forms for ev 3, 15 and 21 are also expected. The obtained negative genotypes agree closely with the expected, although slightly lower frequencies were obtained for ev 3 and 15 and higher frequeney for ev 21 than expected. However, there were no birds carrying the homozygous positive forms for ev 3 and ev 15 and slightly lower frequency for ev 21 than expected. The frequencies for the heterozygotes, though slightly lower for ev 21 and higher for ev 3 and 15, agree closely with the expected. Analysis of the DNA finger print, DFP, bands from RFLP studies indicated that the level of genetic diversity in the local chicken in Nigeria is only about 52%. The study suggests that there may be true genetic differences in the Nigerian local chicken population and hence the slightly high variation in genetic differences could be exploited for genetic improvement.

HERITABILITIES OF AND GENETIC CORRELATIONS BETWEEN SOME GROWTH TRAITS IN NIGERIAN LOCAL CHICKENS

Heritabilities of and genetic correlations between body weight, shank length, keel length and breast width in a population of Nigerian local chickens at 6 weeks of age were estimatedusing a total of 170 chicks of both sexes obtained from 5 sires each mated to 4 dams by artifical insemination in a nested fashion. Average body weight, shank length, keel length and breast width at this age were 114.97g, 3.48cm, 3.35cm and 3.22cm, respectively.Genetic correlations between the traits were positive and high, ranging from 0.99 to 1.51. The moderate to high heritabilities (hs2) of these growth traits at 6 weeks point to the existence of an appreciable amount of additive genetic variance in the local chicken population and indicate that improvement in these traits can be brought about by intrapopulation selection. The high genetic correlations indicate the pleiotropic action of genes controlling these traits and that, by direct selection for any one of them, genetic improvement in the others will be realized as correlated responses.

Identification and characterisation of single nucleotide polymorphisms in interferon regulatory factor-5 gene of Nigerian local chickens

Abstract The interferon regulatory factor gene family encodes transcription factors with multiple biological functions, which include reproduction, cell differentiation and immunity. Interferon regulatory factor-5 (IRF-5) gene is involved in immune defence against virus, stress response, activation of type I interferon genes, cell differentiation and growth. This experiment was conducted to identify and characterise single nucleotide polymorphisms in exons 3, 4, 5 and 7 of IRF-5 gene in Nigerian local chickens. Exons 3, 4, 5 and 7 of IRF-5 gene were amplified and sequenced. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) present in exons 3, 4, 5 and 7 of IRF-5 gene were identified and analysed using Clustal W, DnaSp and SNAP2 software packages. Four SNPs, rs317511101, rs312902332, rs315149141 and rs739389464, were identified in exon 3 of IRF-5 gene in all the three genotypes. Exon 4 of the gene was conserved while three of the SNPs (rs736423928, 170C>T and rs740736761) identified in exon 7 were shared among the three genotypes. Linkage disequilibrium of 1.00 existed between rs317511101 and rs315149141 polymorphisms identified in exon 3 of normal feathered and frizzle feathered chickens. Mutation rs740736761 identified in exon 7 had the highest polymorphism information content obtainable for any biallelic marker. Most of the SNPs identified in exons 3, 5 and 7 were synonymous and singletons which could not be used for association study. The study concluded that only haplotypes in exons 3 and 7 of IRF-5 gene can be used in marker-assisted selection when improving Nigerian local chickens.

Naked-neck and frizzled feather fowls are high performance laying local chicken in Nigeria

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of genotype on the laying performance of Nigerian local chicken. The experiment was carried out using 99 local chicken of the three genotypes, comprising of 90 hens and 9 cocks (33 frizzle feather, 33 naked-neck feather and 33 normal feathered). Eggs were collected from the different genotypes for 8 weeks. The laying performance traits were egg number, hen-housed (%) and hen-day (%) egg production. Data collected were subjected to ANOVA in a completely randomised design. The hen-day egg production showed significant differences (P<0.05) in all the weeks. Naked-neck genotype performed better in terms of hen-day egg production than the other two genotypes and had highest values in week 1 (27.14±0.01), week 5 (27.60±0.09), week 7 (34.53±1.13) andweek 8 (16.30±0.03). Therewere significant differences (P<0.05) in all the weeks for hen-housed egg production and naked-neck also performed better than the frizzled and normal feather apart from week 2, 3 and 6. The naked-neck genotype had highest mean values in week 1, 4, 5, 7 and 8 with 27.18±0.06, 25.70±0.02, 19.33±0.67, 24.08±0.22 and 11.39±0.03 respectively for hen-housed egg production. The naked-neck had significantly (P<0.05) higher values for egg number when compared with frizzle and normal feathered genotypes. The values ranged between 5.67±0.67 to 2.00±0.10 (naked-neck), 6.33±0.33 to 2.67±0.67 (frizzle) and 3.33±0.33 to 1.33±0.33 (normal). It is therefore, reasonable to incorporate the naked-neck and frizzled feather genotypes of local chicken in producing locally-adapted commercial eggs

Auto-sexing potential and growth performance in Rhode Island, Nigerian local chickens and their reciprocal crosses

This study was conducted to determine auto-sexing potential in Rhode Island, Nigerian local chicken and their reciprocal crosses. A total of 241 eggs were set in the incubator to determine the fertility, hatchability, % Hatch, % dead in shell, % dead in cell and % deformed chicks in the four genotypes (Rhode Island Red (RIR) x Rhode Island White (RIW), Rhode Island Red (RIR) x Rhode Island White (RIW), Nigerian Local Red (NLR) x Rhode Island White (RIW) and Nigerian Local Red (NLR) x Nigerian Local White (NLW). Only 94 eggs were hatched. RIRXRIW crossbred chicks had the highest percentage fertility of 88.89% followed by RIRxRIW (86.27%), NLRXRIW (77.36%) and NLRxNLW (72.31%), respectively. RIRxNLW had the highest percentage hatchability of 65.19%, followed by RIRxRIW (51.56%), NLRxNLW (51.06%) and NLRxRIW (24.39%). It was observed in the hatch-out analysis that the cross between NLRxRIW had the highest percentage of dead in shell (29.27%) followed by RIRxRIW (17.19%), NLRxNLW (17.02%) and RIRxNLW (11.36%), respectively. The highest percentage of dead in cell was recorded in NLRxRIW crossbred (43.33%), followed by NLRxNLW (31.92%), RIRxRIW (28.13%) and RIRxNLW (15.91%). The observed deformed chicks were highest in NLRxNLW (20.85%) followed by RIRxNLW (10.34%), RIRxRIW (6.06%) and NLRxNLW (0%), respectively. Also observed was the occurrence of bangers with NLRxRIW, having the highest occurrence of bangers (9.08%) and with NLRxNLW having no occurrence of bangers. The records of weekly body weight were taken on the 94 chicks and chi square analysis was used to test colour inheritance of chicks. Significant (P<0.05) difference was observed among genotypes in body weight of chicks at hatch and from weeks 1 to 8 weeks of age. The observed changes on body weight from 0 to 8th week of age of chicks showed significant difference across the four different genetic crossed groups (P<0.05) and weight at the 8th week showed that the cross between RIRxRIW (216.93g) had better in growth as compared to the cross between NLRxRIW (202.75g) and NLRxNLW (193.17g) which were statistically similar (P>0.05) and RIRxNLW (179.75g) crossbred chicks which had the lowest bodyweight at 8 weeks of age. The chi square (X2) analysis revealed that both RIRxRIW and NLRxRIW crossbred chicks were autosexed. The study concluded that selection for plumage colour showed great potential in determining the probability of chicks being autosexed. Also, pure bred of RIRXRIW and reciprocal cross of NLRXRIW showed great potential of producing autosexed chicks, while results on the direct crosses of NLRXNLW and RIRXNLW suggest that the pattern of inheritance of plumage colour is not simple. The study recommends further investigation to further ascertain the mode of plumage colour inheritance in the Nigerian Local Chickens.