Effects of Sex and Genotype on the Biometry of the Tongues of Nigerian Indigenous Chickens

Abstract

Eighteen apparently healthy adult normal feathered, naked neck and frizzle feather genotypes of Nigeria indigenous chickens (three male and three female of each genotypes all above one year of age) were purchased, quarantined for two weeks and stabilized for another two weeks with the aim of studying effects of sex and genotype on the biometry of the tongues of these indigenous chickens. At the end of the stabilization, they were slaughtered and the tongues were harvested. The size, width, length and thickness of the tongues were measured using weighing balance and thread, meter rule, compass (divider) and digital Vernier calliper. There was no significant interaction effect (p 0.05) between sex and genotype on the combined dependent variables. There was significant difference (p 0.05) between the mean total lengths of the tongue of male and female Nigerian chickens, and in mean width of the tongue at the lingual apex among the three Nigerian genotypes of chicken. There was no significant difference (p 0.05) in all other parameters measured between the male and female Nigerian chickens and among the three Nigerian indigenous genotypes of chicken. This study contributes to the knowledge of Avian Anatomy up to the level of genotypes. It has also established a base line data for further research on the tongue in these three genotypes of Nigerian indigenous chicken.