The study of Fulani ecotype (indigenous) chicken becomes necessary for proper
understanding of its potentials for future breeding programmes in Nigeria.
Sixty adult Fulani ecotype chickens comprising 22 males and 38 females were
sourced from the Fulani kraal at Opeji in Odeda Local Government area of
Ogun State and used to determine their qualitative and quantitative traits.
Twenty (20) cocks out of the original 22 were selected randomly from the
population for semen quality assessment. Results indicated that polydactyly
was observed on 26.67% of the population. Brown and dark brown plumage
colours were dominant and had an occurrence of 48.34% and 33.33%,
respectively. Comb type was predominantly single (85%) while 46.67% of the
population had Spur. Plumage colour influenced (p<0.05) comb length, comb
width, earlobe width and tail length while shank colour had significant
(p<0.05) effect on earlobe length, wattle length, wattle width, tail length.
Plumage colour had significant (p<0.05-0.01) effect on sperm motility, semen
pH, sperm concentration and semen volume but not (p>0.05) on livability and
abnormality. Brown plumage had the highest (p<0.05) sperm motility
(88.50?0.89%) and pH (7.01?0.01) which was similar to brown black. Fulani
cock with light brown plumage colour had the highest (p<0.05) sperm
concentration (1.90?0.11?109/ml) while dark brown had the least value
1.54?0.11? 109/ml. Light brown chicken recorded higher (p<0.05) semen volume
(0.21?0.01/ml) when compared with the dark brown chicken (0.14?0.01/ml).
Medium to high positive correlations were observed among all linear body
measurements. The study concluded that there existed high phenotypic
diversity in Fulani chickens and could be exploited for improved breeding
and conservation programmes in Nigeria. The body weight and other linear
body measurements of the chickens are highly and positively correlated.
However, lighter plumage Fulani ecotype cocks could be adopted in
multiplication program where semen motility and concentration are paramount.
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