ABSTRACT

This study was carried out on genetic evaluation of the Nigerian Forest (Yoruba)ecotype chicken

in three local government of Ekiti State, Nigeria, based on some phenotypic traits and

performance traits. A total of Two Hundred (200) of Cocks and Hens, with more of Hens than

Cocks, of mature native, forest ecotype chickens were randomly sampled from the study area.

The study covered nine (9) settlements (Asin, Ootunja, lgbona, Ilumoba, Aisegba, Agbado, lfaki,

ldo and Aaye) within three local governments (lkole, Gbonyin and Ido-osi) in Ekiti state. The

study was conducted between September and November 2018. Parameters examined included

live body weight, eye colour, skin colour, feather colour, feather types, plumage colour, shank

colour, beak colour, comb color, comb type, ear-lobe colour, wattle colour, keel bone structure, ..

skeletal variance, presence of major genes, egg shell colour, egg mean weight, number of eggs per clutch, number of chicks per clutch, number of unhatched eggs and post hatch mortality. Mean live body weight of males was significantly (p