Genetic Correlations of some Traits of the Heavy Ecotype of Nigerian Native Chicken

Numerous researches have been done and documented on the genetic associations among many traits in the exotic broiler and layer breeds, however there seem to be no single reference documented literature on the collective records of various genetic association present among many traits of the Nigerian local chicken, since most study have been on one or few traits. This study was conducted to determine the genetic and phenotypic correlation existing among many traits in the local heavy ecotype of Nigerian native chicken. Negative phenotypic correlations (-0.02 to -0.04); zero to high genetic (sire) correlations (0 to 1.73), negative to low genetic (dam) correlations (-0.02 to 0.56), and negative to low environmental correlations (-0.03 to 0.03) existed between body weight at day old and other traits. The phenotypic correlations (0.15 to 0.37), genetic (sire) correlations (0.42 to 1.40), genetic (dam) correlations (-0.11 to 0.79) and environmental correlations (-0.03 to 0.49), for body weight at 8weeks and other traits ranged from negative to high and positive. However, phenotypic, genetic (sire and dam), and environmental correlations were found among 8weeks body weight and 8weeks shank length, 20weeks body weight. At 12 weeks of age high phenotypic correlations (0.07 to 0.23), low to high genetic (sire) correlations (0.30 to 1.18), low genetic (dam) correlations (-0.13 to 0.20) and low environmental correlations (-0.10 to 0.25) existed with other traits. 16weeks body weight had low phenotypic, no genetic (sire) associations with other traits, while the dam component ranged from low to high. The relationship between 20weeks body weight and other traits were all moderate, high and positive. Average body weight gain had low to high (-0.07 to 0.60) relationship due to phenotype, low to high (0 to 1.10) relationship due to genotype (sire) with other traits. Mean feed consumption had low to high (-0.01 to 0.50) relationship due to phenotype, low to high (-0.06 to 1.81) relationship due to genotype (sire) with other traits. The genetic association resulting from infertility, hatchability, dead embryo and other traits were low to high. The shank length had highly and positively genetic association with beak colour.