Assessing the genotype effects on performance and meat quality traits of Nigerian indigenous chicken varieties and a commercial breed for sustainable poultry production.

Abstract

Chickens are among the most widely reared poultry species globally, playing critical role as a major source of animal protein and income for smallholder farmers. This study investigated the effects of genotype on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and haemato-biochemical indices in three Nigerian indigenous chicken (NIC) varieties: Normal Feathered Chicken (NFC), Frizzle Feathered Chicken (FFC), and Naked Neck Chicken (NNC), and a commercial broiler breed (Arbor Acre Chicken, AAC). A total of 140 day-old chickens, with 35 birds per genotype, were reared for 8 weeks under controlled conditions. Growth performance traits, including body weight, body length, and other morphometric parameters, were measured, with AAC exhibiting the highest growth. Carcass traits followed similar patterns, with AAC showing superior slaughter weight, carcass weight, and carcass yield. Among the NICs, the FFC had higher feed efficiency and superior meat quality traits, including water-holding capacity and lower thawing loss. The AAC breed had higher fat and cholesterol content compared to NICs, while the crude protein content was highest in the NICs. Haemato-biochemical analysis revealed higher white blood cell counts and globulin levels in the NIC varieties, particularly FFC, indicating potential advantages in immune function. The results suggest that, while AAC excels in growth and carcass traits, the NIC varieties, especially FFC, may serve as valuable resources for breeding programmes focused on meat quality and disease resistance. This highlights the importance of genotype-specific breeding strategies for improving poultry production in Nigeria.