**3. Productive characteristics of Nigerian indigenous chickens**

Body weight, and morphometric traits; egg production traits, semen quality, fertility, hatchability, and chick survival; feed intake and feed efficiency have been used to characterize NICs for productive potentials. Body weight, and morphometric evaluations quantify growth potential, and meat yield while Egg production, semen traits, fertility, hatchability, and chick survival evaluate laying and reproductive capacities. These variables determine commercial value which, in addition to cultural and social utility, constitute conservation value.

#### **3.1 Body weight, and linear body traits of Nigerian indigenous chickens**

Early reports classified NICs based on location/tribal ecotypes. In southeastern Nigeria, [35] identified three location ecotypes (Nsukka, Owerri, and Awgu ecotypes) while [36] identified two tribal ecotypes (Yoruba and Fulani ecotypes). Odubote [16] observed that none of the location or tribal ecotypes was unique in any of the attributes and that the only striking phenotypic difference between these ecotypes is in their mature body size. The author hence distinguished three types namely dwarf, normal size and heavy body (Fulani) types. A more recent classification advocated only two categories based on mature body weight namely, light body weight ecotype (light ecotype, LE) and heavy body weight ecotype (heavy ecotype, HE) [8]. The LE represents the chicken type from rainforest and derived savannah agro-ecological zones, whose mature body weight ranges from 0.68–1.5 kg and includes dwarf and normal size types referred to as rain forest, swamp, or Yoruba chickens by some authors [6, 11, 17, 22] while the HE are those of the guinea savannah, Sahel savannah and some montane regions, whose mature body weight ranges from 0.90–2.5 kg referred to as Fulani, and Tiv chickens by some authors [11, 21].

The wide range of body weight within ecotypes reflect genotypic differences, differences in husbandry system, and level of input; body weight being generally lower in free range, scavenging system. Early studies reported mature (> 20 weeks) body weight range of 1.0 to 1.76 kg for extensive system [37, 38] and 768 to 1096 g at 20 weeks of age for on-station populations [39–42]. More recently, a mean range of 1.32 to 2.0 kg was reported for extensive system [10, 13, 15, 43] while for intensive system, 20 week body weight was reported as 771.11 and 765.94 g for LE parent and inbred projeny, respectively [44]; and 1.42, 1.39, and 1.30 kg for normal feather, naked neck, and frizzle ICs, respectively [45]. Momoh et al. [46] showed that HE and LE ICs differed significantly in body weight from hatch to 20 weeks of age (**Table 2**). Oleforuh-Okoleh et al. [52] reported higher body weight in normal feathered ICs compared to naked neck chickens at 4 and 8 weeks of age (312.06 ± 7.71 vs. 287.13 ± 6.17 g, and 931.72 ± 23.85 vs. 844.30 ± 21.84 g, respectively) but similar values at 12 and 16 weeks of age. Body length, chest girth, leg length, and shank circumference were also higher in normal feathered chickens at 4 weeks of age while chest girth, leg length, and shank length were higher at 8 weeks of age while [15] reported linear body values of 42.7 ± 0.03, 55.8 ± 0.21, 12.2 ± 0.04, 9.8 ± 0.02, 25.0 ± 0.70, and 8.9 ± 0.50 cm for body circumference, body length, shank length, keel length, wing length, and neck length, respectively in ICs from Bekwara in Cross River State, South–south Nigeria. Sanusi and Oseni [53] evaluated Fulani ecotype chickens under intensive and pasture production systems and reported significant effect of sex of chicken on body weight from 10 to 20 weeks of age as well as significant interaction effect of sex and production system on body weight. Males averaged 1343.43 ± 55.2 vs. 1295.57 ± 59.12 g while females averaged 938.66 ± 60.3 vs. 1061.805 ± 59.9 g for intensive vs. pasture systems, respectively.

**145**

**Genetic resource**

DSIC (male) DSIC (female)

RFIC (male) RFIC (female)

1HE

HE

LE HE x LE LE x HE

NF Na NF x FF FF x NF NF x Na Na x NF FF x Na Na x FF

E x NF E x Na

E x F NF x E Na x E

25.48 ± 0.40 26.51 ± 0.38 26.10 ± 0.19 25.76 ± 0.43 28.61 ± 0.34 28.95 ± 0.45 26.45 ± 0.35 26.00 ± 0.26 26.50 ± 0.73 29.84 ± 0.32 30.83 ± 0.59

88.29 ± 0.91

91.87 ± 0.78

80.91 ± 0.87

83.57 ± 0.69

87.18 ± 0.51

86.3 ± 0.54

**Hatch** 29 ± 1.0 23 ± 1.6 24 ± 0.8 25.6 ± 0.7 30.30 ± 0.17

30.2 ± 0.06 24.2 ± 0.05 25.1 ± 0.04 28.6 ± 0.07

148 ± 2.03 312.06 ± 7.71 287.13 ± 6.17

147 ± 2.13

139 ± 2.24

157 ± 0.45

151.41 ± 1.74

104 ± 5.9

99 ± 6.6

104 ± 14.5

124 ± 9.2

**4**

**8** 311 ± 26.4

262 ± 4.8 255 ± 19.7 242 ± 17.1 344.19 ± 4.14

350 ± 3.01 299 ± 3.01 335 ± 2.81 331 ± 2.43 931.72 ± 23.85 844.30 ± 21.84

267.78 ± 3.68 268.57 ± 3.52 264.11 ± 3.19 257.16 ± 3.01 283.50 ± 2.41 270.13 ± 1.92

**12** 702 ± 55.3 605 ± 67.5 615 ± 41.3 533 ± 35.7 667.98 ± 6.30

720 ± 9.47 560 ± 4.31 700 ± 4.21 693 ± 3.51 1180.59 ± 32.45 1158.15 ± 25.71

620.22 ± 9.99 608.15 ± 10.13

639.49 ± 7.94 500.53 ± 7.11 526.81 ± 7.84 623.18 ± 7.10 508.60 ± 29.85 519.43 ± 35.46

609.58 ± 16.86

1039.15 ± 52.18

910.88 ± 67.15

791.52 ± 6.24

840 ± 9.35 707 ± 4.89 819 ± 4.86 806 ± 4.18 1635.08 ± 43.62 1587.98 ± 40.00

819.14 ± 9.30 821.59 ± 8.83 842.29 ± 5.88 793.95 ± 5.84 734.41 ± 7.38 817.42 ± 6.71

1040.52 ± 12.34 1047.45 ± 13.47

1088.20 ± 12.21

1017.63 ± 10.79

1040.49 ± 13.06

1121.78 ± 9.94

[51]

[50]

**16**

**20** 1096 ± 84.1 948 ± 130.6

810 ± 46.7 768 ± 36.6

911.59 ± 6.33

976 ± 11.2 831 ± 5.52

937 ± 7.32

934 ± 4.54

**Reference**

[44]

*Utilization and Conservation of Landrace Chickens of Nigeria: Physical and Performance…*

[49]

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96580*

[47]

[48]


#### *Utilization and Conservation of Landrace Chickens of Nigeria: Physical and Performance… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96580*

*Landraces - Traditional Variety and Natural Breed*

**3. Productive characteristics of Nigerian indigenous chickens**

**3.1 Body weight, and linear body traits of Nigerian indigenous chickens**

Early reports classified NICs based on location/tribal ecotypes. In southeastern Nigeria, [35] identified three location ecotypes (Nsukka, Owerri, and Awgu ecotypes) while [36] identified two tribal ecotypes (Yoruba and Fulani ecotypes). Odubote [16] observed that none of the location or tribal ecotypes was unique in any of the attributes and that the only striking phenotypic difference between these ecotypes is in their mature body size. The author hence distinguished three types namely dwarf, normal size and heavy body (Fulani) types. A more recent classification advocated only two categories based on mature body weight namely, light body weight ecotype (light ecotype, LE) and heavy body weight ecotype (heavy ecotype, HE) [8]. The LE represents the chicken type from rainforest and derived savannah agro-ecological zones, whose mature body weight ranges from 0.68–1.5 kg and includes dwarf and normal size types referred to as rain forest, swamp, or Yoruba chickens by some authors [6, 11, 17, 22] while the HE are those of the guinea savannah, Sahel savannah and some montane regions, whose mature body weight ranges from 0.90–2.5 kg referred to as Fulani, and Tiv chickens by

The wide range of body weight within ecotypes reflect genotypic differences, differences in husbandry system, and level of input; body weight being generally lower in free range, scavenging system. Early studies reported mature (> 20 weeks) body weight range of 1.0 to 1.76 kg for extensive system [37, 38] and 768 to 1096 g at 20 weeks of age for on-station populations [39–42]. More recently, a mean range of 1.32 to 2.0 kg was reported for extensive system [10, 13, 15, 43] while for intensive system, 20 week body weight was reported as 771.11 and 765.94 g for LE parent and inbred projeny, respectively [44]; and 1.42, 1.39, and 1.30 kg for normal feather, naked neck, and frizzle ICs, respectively [45]. Momoh et al. [46] showed that HE and LE ICs differed significantly in body weight from hatch to 20 weeks of age (**Table 2**). Oleforuh-Okoleh et al. [52] reported higher body weight in normal feathered ICs compared to naked neck chickens at 4 and 8 weeks of age (312.06 ± 7.71 vs. 287.13 ± 6.17 g, and 931.72 ± 23.85 vs. 844.30 ± 21.84 g, respectively) but similar values at 12 and 16 weeks of age. Body length, chest girth, leg length, and shank circumference were also higher in normal feathered chickens at 4 weeks of age while chest girth, leg length, and shank length were higher at 8 weeks of age while [15] reported linear body values of 42.7 ± 0.03, 55.8 ± 0.21, 12.2 ± 0.04, 9.8 ± 0.02, 25.0 ± 0.70, and 8.9 ± 0.50 cm for body circumference, body length, shank length, keel length, wing length, and neck length, respectively in ICs from Bekwara in Cross River State, South–south Nigeria. Sanusi and Oseni [53] evaluated Fulani ecotype chickens under intensive and pasture production systems and reported significant effect of sex of chicken on body weight from 10 to 20 weeks of age as well as significant interaction effect of sex and production system on body weight. Males averaged 1343.43 ± 55.2 vs. 1295.57 ± 59.12 g while females averaged 938.66 ± 60.3 vs.

1061.805 ± 59.9 g for intensive vs. pasture systems, respectively.

to cultural and social utility, constitute conservation value.

Body weight, and morphometric traits; egg production traits, semen quality, fertility, hatchability, and chick survival; feed intake and feed efficiency have been used to characterize NICs for productive potentials. Body weight, and morphometric evaluations quantify growth potential, and meat yield while Egg production, semen traits, fertility, hatchability, and chick survival evaluate laying and reproductive capacities. These variables determine commercial value which, in addition

**144**

some authors [11, 21].


#### **Table 2.**

**147**

3.33 x 10<sup>9</sup>

*Utilization and Conservation of Landrace Chickens of Nigeria: Physical and Performance…*

Egg production of NICs is reported to be very low especially in traditional scavenging system. Egg production ranged from 22 to 80 eggs/hen/year [10, 15, 47, 50, 51, 54], laid in 2 to 3 clutches of size 4 to 14 eggs [10, 38, 55–57] and of weight, 25 to 35 g [10, 15, 58]. Reasons for poor egg production include poor genetic potential, disease, poor nutrition, broodiness and rearing of chicks, and social behavior [6, 10, 15]. Hatchability values reported across zones, ecotypes, and populations ranged from 60 to 100% [10, 15, 51, 55–57]. For on-station populations, a range of 35 to 175 eggs laid in 90 to 500 days, and of mean weight 28.78 to 43.9 g, was reported by various studies using deep litter or battery cage systems [35, 39, 59–64]. Age at first egg (AFE) ranged between 148.4 and 176.9 days (d) [60, 65]. More recently, [63] reported AFE of 156 to 159 d, and egg number and egg weight to 90 d of 34.04 ± 1.15 to 37.38 ± 2.21 eggs and 35.27 ± 0.31 to 35.73 ± 0.59 g, respectively over three generations while [66] reported AFE, body weight at first egg (BWFE), egg production (EN), egg weight (EW), clutch size (CS), and pause length (PL) to range between 22 and 31 and 20 and 23 d, 1350 and 1650 and 1300 and 1440 g, 78 and 174 and 58 and 128 eggs, 35.72 and 52.50 and 35.36 and 50.61 g, 3 and 9 and 2 and 6 eggs, and 1 and 3 and 1 and 6 d, for Fulani and Yoruba ecotypes, respectively in Southwest Nigeria. Gwaza et al. [67] reported AFE of 199.72 ± 0.089 and 195.30 ± 0.104 d and BWFE of 1.486 ± 0.104 and 1.186 ± 0.022 kg for Tiv and Fulani ICs, respectively. In the high rainforest zone of Nigeria, [17] observed no effect of genotype on fertility and embryo mortality between normal feathered, frizzle and naked neck ICs but percent hatchability was highest in normal feathered (86.36%). Fertility (range: 76.67–90.53), hatchability (range: 83.50–91.36), dead in shell (range: 8.23–9.46), and weak in shell (range: 0.32–1.32) did not differ significantly between naked neck, normal feathered, and frizzled ICs and an exotic broiler strain. For semen quality [68] reported higher mean ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, and vigor in local compared to exotic cocks at different collection frequencies and intervals. Omeje and Udeh [69] had shown that feed restriction adversely affected semen production in exotic than local cocks and that only the local cock yielded semen at once in four days feeding. Naked neck and normal feathered ICs had significantly higher sperm concentration and motility compared to Nera Black, White Leghorn, Giriraja, and an indigenous breed (FUNAAB Alpha) [70]. Ajayi et al. [71] showed that naked neck cocks had higher semen concentration than

**3.2 Egg production, semen quality, fertility and hatchability potentials**

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96580*

frizzle and normal feathered cocks (4.85 x 10<sup>9</sup>

(11.7 g, 0.25 ± 0.02 ml, 270 x 10<sup>9</sup>

52.5%, respectively).

neck (10.1 g, 0.24 ± 0.02 ml, 250 x10<sup>9</sup>

± 0.03/ml vs. 3.26 x 10<sup>9</sup>

± 5.99/ml, and 77%, respectively) and naked

± 6.00/ml and 65.8%, respectively) chickens

± 0.57/ml, respectively) and there was higher sperm motility in naked

neck and frizzled chickens compared to normal feathered while normal feathered and frizzled had higher semen volume compared to naked neck. Udeh et al. [72] studied the value of linear body measures to predict semen traits of local and exotic cocks and reported higher semen volume in local compared to exotic cocks, and positive correlation between wing length and percent live sperm in local chickens while beak length, sperm concentration, and motility; comb length and sperm concentration; and shank length and sperm motility were positively correlated in exotic cocks. Oke and Ihemeson [45] had observed no effect of genotype on total reproductive organ weight in normal feathered, frizzle and naked neck ICs (14.1, 11.2, and 11.6 g, respectively) but higher (p ≤ 0.05) testis weight, semen volume, sperm concentration and motility in normal feathered

compared to the frizzled genotype (7.07 g, 0.15 ± 0.03 ml, 198 x 10<sup>9</sup>

± 0.94 and

± 11.5/ml and

*Body weight of various genetic groups involving IC eco- or geno-types as reported in different ecological zones.* *Utilization and Conservation of Landrace Chickens of Nigeria: Physical and Performance… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96580*

#### **3.2 Egg production, semen quality, fertility and hatchability potentials**

Egg production of NICs is reported to be very low especially in traditional scavenging system. Egg production ranged from 22 to 80 eggs/hen/year [10, 15, 47, 50, 51, 54], laid in 2 to 3 clutches of size 4 to 14 eggs [10, 38, 55–57] and of weight, 25 to 35 g [10, 15, 58]. Reasons for poor egg production include poor genetic potential, disease, poor nutrition, broodiness and rearing of chicks, and social behavior [6, 10, 15]. Hatchability values reported across zones, ecotypes, and populations ranged from 60 to 100% [10, 15, 51, 55–57]. For on-station populations, a range of 35 to 175 eggs laid in 90 to 500 days, and of mean weight 28.78 to 43.9 g, was reported by various studies using deep litter or battery cage systems [35, 39, 59–64]. Age at first egg (AFE) ranged between 148.4 and 176.9 days (d) [60, 65]. More recently, [63] reported AFE of 156 to 159 d, and egg number and egg weight to 90 d of 34.04 ± 1.15 to 37.38 ± 2.21 eggs and 35.27 ± 0.31 to 35.73 ± 0.59 g, respectively over three generations while [66] reported AFE, body weight at first egg (BWFE), egg production (EN), egg weight (EW), clutch size (CS), and pause length (PL) to range between 22 and 31 and 20 and 23 d, 1350 and 1650 and 1300 and 1440 g, 78 and 174 and 58 and 128 eggs, 35.72 and 52.50 and 35.36 and 50.61 g, 3 and 9 and 2 and 6 eggs, and 1 and 3 and 1 and 6 d, for Fulani and Yoruba ecotypes, respectively in Southwest Nigeria. Gwaza et al. [67] reported AFE of 199.72 ± 0.089 and 195.30 ± 0.104 d and BWFE of 1.486 ± 0.104 and 1.186 ± 0.022 kg for Tiv and Fulani ICs, respectively. In the high rainforest zone of Nigeria, [17] observed no effect of genotype on fertility and embryo mortality between normal feathered, frizzle and naked neck ICs but percent hatchability was highest in normal feathered (86.36%). Fertility (range: 76.67–90.53), hatchability (range: 83.50–91.36), dead in shell (range: 8.23–9.46), and weak in shell (range: 0.32–1.32) did not differ significantly between naked neck, normal feathered, and frizzled ICs and an exotic broiler strain. For semen quality [68] reported higher mean ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, and vigor in local compared to exotic cocks at different collection frequencies and intervals. Omeje and Udeh [69] had shown that feed restriction adversely affected semen production in exotic than local cocks and that only the local cock yielded semen at once in four days feeding. Naked neck and normal feathered ICs had significantly higher sperm concentration and motility compared to Nera Black, White Leghorn, Giriraja, and an indigenous breed (FUNAAB Alpha) [70]. Ajayi et al. [71] showed that naked neck cocks had higher semen concentration than frizzle and normal feathered cocks (4.85 x 10<sup>9</sup> ± 0.03/ml vs. 3.26 x 10<sup>9</sup> ± 0.94 and 3.33 x 10<sup>9</sup> ± 0.57/ml, respectively) and there was higher sperm motility in naked neck and frizzled chickens compared to normal feathered while normal feathered and frizzled had higher semen volume compared to naked neck. Udeh et al. [72] studied the value of linear body measures to predict semen traits of local and exotic cocks and reported higher semen volume in local compared to exotic cocks, and positive correlation between wing length and percent live sperm in local chickens while beak length, sperm concentration, and motility; comb length and sperm concentration; and shank length and sperm motility were positively correlated in exotic cocks. Oke and Ihemeson [45] had observed no effect of genotype on total reproductive organ weight in normal feathered, frizzle and naked neck ICs (14.1, 11.2, and 11.6 g, respectively) but higher (p ≤ 0.05) testis weight, semen volume, sperm concentration and motility in normal feathered (11.7 g, 0.25 ± 0.02 ml, 270 x 10<sup>9</sup> ± 5.99/ml, and 77%, respectively) and naked neck (10.1 g, 0.24 ± 0.02 ml, 250 x10<sup>9</sup> ± 6.00/ml and 65.8%, respectively) chickens compared to the frizzled genotype (7.07 g, 0.15 ± 0.03 ml, 198 x 10<sup>9</sup> ± 11.5/ml and 52.5%, respectively).

*Landraces - Traditional Variety and Natural Breed*

**146**

**Genetic resource**

F x E E x (E x NF) E x (E x Na)

E x (E x F) E x (NF x E) E x (Na x E)

E x (F x E)

**Hatch** 30.22 ± 0.30 24.19 ± 0.50 26.42 ± 0.54 23.71 ± 0.40 30.48 ± 0.38 30.00 ± 0.43 31.33 ± 0.47 *1HE: 0–8 wk. (sexes combined), 12–20 wk. (female).*

**Table 2.** *Body weight of various genetic groups involving IC eco- or geno-types as reported in different ecological zones.*

*DSIC: derived savannah IC; RFIC: rainforest IC; HE, LE: heavy, light, ecotype; NF, Na, FF: normal feather, naked neck, frizzle, E: exotic broiler;*

**4**

**8**

**12** 1141.88 ± 42.28

1014.38 ± 71.90

956.11 ± 69.54

645.00 ± 34.51

1752.23 ± 42.49

1223.13 ± 74.60

1976.67 ± 97.60

**16**

**20**

**Reference**
