GENETIC VARIATION AND THE IMMUNE RESPONSE TRAITS OF THREE IMPROVED NIGERIAN LOCAL CHICKEN STRAINS.

Abstract

The immune response traits of three improved Nigerian indigenous strains of chicken (Frizzle feathered – FF, Normal feathered – NF and Naked neck – NN) were studied with a view to assessing their physiological status and as such response to infections. Sixty (60) birds comprising twenty (20) from each of the strains were used. The birds were raised on deep liter with commercial growers’ mash and water provided ad libitum. Blood samples were collected from each of the strains and analyzed for Haematological parameters - Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Haemoglobin (Hb), Red Blood Cell (RBC), White Blood Cell (WBC), Heterophils (Hetero), Lymphocytes (Lym) - Eosinophils (Eos), Monocytes (Mono) and Basophils (Bas) - the immune response traits. Data collected were analyzed using the SPSS ver. 20, significantly different means were separated using the Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Results showed that Eos in week 4, Mono in week 8, Bas in weeks 4, 8, 12 and WBC, Hetero, Lym in week 12 all differed (p<0.05) significantly from each other. The birds showed an improved physiological state thus improving the immune system, an indication of their ability to withstand infection.