Sexual Dimorphisms on Body Weight, Morphometric and Haematological Parameters of Indigenous Chicken Reared in Lafia

Abstract

The present study examined sexual dimorphisms on body weight, morphometric and haematological parameters of indigenous chicken reared in Shabu and Kwandere areas of Lafia, Nasarawa State. The study revealed that, there were marked sexual differences in the body weight and morphometric parameters of indigenous chicken. The result of the body weight (BW) and body length (BL) was higher in males chickens than in the female chickens of Shabu whereas the females has better and higher (P<0.05) thigh circumference (TC) than those of their male counterparts. The results of total leg length (TLL) and wing length (WL) were higher in female chickens than in the male chickens; nevertheless, the result of TC was higher and better in male chickens than in the female chickens of Kwandere.  The results of haematological indices for both sexes were not significant (P<0.05) although the mean values for mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) was slightly higher in males than in the female chickens investigated. The highest and positive correlation was observed between WL and TLL (r=0.690), followed by correlation between BW and breast circumference (BC), BW and foot length (FL) (r = 0.474) at (P<0.05, P<0.01). The correlation between FL and TLL(r =0.402) was also positive and significant (P<0.05, P<0.01). There was also a positive correlation between BW and TC (r =0.309) at (P<0.05) respectively. The strong relationship existing between body weight and body measurements may be useful as selection criterion, thereby providing a basis for the genetic manipulation and improvement of the indigenous chicken.