Characteristics of Indigenous Chicken of the North Central Agro-ecological Zone of Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed the productive performance of adult indigenous chicken from four Nigerian states of the North Central Zone namely; Nasarawa, Niger, Benue, Kogi and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Data were collected at both Out and On-station. The result showed that flock structure was in proportion of 28, 21.4, 23.2 and 27.5% for cock, hen, growers and chicks. Chi-square showed significant difference (P<0.001) by state. Clutch size ranged from 10.84±0.23 to 11.45±0.23 in FCT and Nasarawa state. On-station clutchsize was 13.11±0.23. There was significant difference (P<0.001) by site while state has similar values. Age at first egg, clutch number and hatchability did not vary significantly. However, there was significant difference (P<0.05) in Chick mortality which ranged from 43.19 to 53.89% in Benue and the FCT. On-stationmortality was 26.78%. Correlation coefficient between egg and production traits showed that most correlation traits were significant at 1%. Only number of chicks hatched, egg wasted, egg width and length and mortality were correlated at 5%. Some common diseases showed that Newcastle is the most prevalent 63.22%. Farmers attached a high preference to keeping male chicken for sale rather than breeding purposes. The high hatchability is an indication of good reproductive performance in the chickens of the study area. Improvement in management practices and vaccination against Newcastle disease should be adopted to curtail its devastating effect on indigenous chicken production in the study area.