Some Phenotypic Characteristics of the Fulani Ecotype Chicken in three Selected local Government Areas of Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Improvement of domestic chicken has dominated the efforts of indigenous breeders in recent times. Three hundred and fifty-seven (357) Fulani Ecotype chickens in Osun State were surveyed and assessed for their phenotypic and productive characteristics. Plumage pattern, thigh and shank colour, mature weight (kg), comb size, wattle size, breast length, breast width, leg length (all in cm); egg weight (gm) and clutch size were examined. Plumage pattern was more heterogeneous in hens, which presented a darker colour than cocks. Cream shank was most common in both sexes, while yellow and cream coloured thigh and beak were prevalent in cocks and hens. Mean mature live weight values (kg) were 2.29 and 1.44 for cocks and hens respectively. The comb size, wattle size, breast length, breast width and leg length were 5.17 and 1.65; 4.87 and 1.48; 19.92 and 17.37; 15.10 and 14.13, and 21.01 and 12.06 for cocks and hens respectively. The mean egg weight of the hen was 38.18g with an average clutch size of 6.93. A high level of variability was observed in comb size, wattle size, leg length, egg weight and clutch size as shown by their CV respectively.