RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BODY WEIGHT AND SEMEN QUALITY TRAITS OF PURE AND  IMPROVED INDIGENOUS NIGERIAN COCKS

E. O. Odah; M. Wheto; H. T. Ojoawo; O. O. Ogunlola; A. O. Adebambo; O. A. Adebambo

doi:10.51791/njap.vi.4242

Authors

E. O. Odah Federal University Wukari, Nigeria
M. Wheto ederal University of Agriculture Abeokuta
H. T. Ojoawo Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta
O. O. Ogunlola Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta
A. O. Adebambo Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta
O. A. Adebambo Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.4242

Keywords:

Body weight, semen quality traits, indigenous Nigerian cocks

Abstract

The body weight and semen quality traits of pure and improved indigenous Nigerian cocks were studied. A total of 100 sexually matured cocks, including 40 normal feather genotype (NM), 20 frizzle feather genotype (FZ), and 20 naked necks from pure and improved indigenous Nigerian chickens, as well as 20 normal feather genotype (NM) from local chickens, were sampled. One-way analysis of variance was used to evaluate data on body weight and semen characteristics, and mean differences were separated using Tukey. Genotype had a significant (p<0.05) effect on body weight and some semen quality traits. The frizzle feather genotype had the highest mean semen membrane (74.40±3.71) compared to the naked neck (73.30±6.64) and normal feathered genotype (71.10±5.64). Abnormal sperm cells were found mostly in frizzle genotypes (3.70±0.66), followed by naked neck (3.30±0.47) and normal feathered genotype (3.23±0.73). However, naked neck chickens consistently had superior body weight (2561±49.26) than frizzle (2442±84.20) and Normal feathered genotype (2472±63.74) which were statistically similar. Pearson correlation revealed that body weight and genotype had significant (p<0.05) and positive relationships with some semen traits. The information on genotype effects and range of genetic relationship between body weight and semen traits reveals some levels of associations; thus, these traits can be included in a selection index to achieve positive genetic progress.