MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF INDIGENOUS CHICKENS IN SOME PARTS OF KANO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

A study was carried out to assess the quantitative traits of hens in Langel and Doka communities Tofa, Local Government Area, Kano state. A total of forty households were selected based on availability of the indigenous chickens in the study area. Bodyweight and linear traits of one hundred and thirty-four indigenous chickens were measured using weighing scale calibrated in kilogrammes (Kg) and flexible measuring tape calibrated in centimetres (cm). The linear traits measured are neck
length, body length, tail length, wing length, breast circumference, thigh length, thigh circumference, shank length, foot length, head length, head width. The data collected were analysed using General Linear Model using SAS (version 6). The result revealed that bodyweight of hens ranged from 0.70kg to 2.0 kg with mean value of 1.56kg while the mean of the linear traits were NL (7.72cm), BL (17.68cm), TLL (11.25cm), WL (11.43cm), BC (21.12cm), TL (10.09), TL (6.45cm), SL (6.66cm), FL (6.09cm), HL (6.25cm), HW (9.58cm). Positive and significant (p < 0.05) values were observed among all the traits measured. Neck length, breast circumference and head width significantly (p<0.05%) predicted bodyweight with R2 value of 0.65. It could be concluded that traits such as neck length, breast circumference and head width can be used to predict bodyweight. The coefficient of
determination (R2) value shows that the predictive equation from the study could be used to predict bodyweight of hens using this regression model.