Heritability Estimates for Growth Traits in the Nigerian Local Chicken

F1 pedigreed chicks from a like by like mating of normal feathered (NF), frizzled feathered (FF) and naked neck (Na) Nigerian local chickens were monitored for growth characteristics from hatch to 20 weeks of age. Similarly, heritability estimates from sire variance components were computed 4-weekly to 20 weeks of age of the birds. Heritability estimate ranged from 0.17±0.07 to 0.26±0.19; 0.28±0.16 to 0.40±0.14; 0.42±0.21 to 0.53±0.23; 0.34±0.25 to 0.65±0.16 and 0.52±0.07 to 0.54±0.26 for 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks of age respectively in the genetic groups. Heritability estimate for body weights from the 8th week of age were moderate to high. Thus, appreciable genetic progress for body weight gain can be achieved in the Nigerian local chicken through concerted selection.