Impacts of Breed on Physiological Responses and Blood Profile of Adult Male Chickens Reared in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

This study evaluated the impact of breed variation on physiological responses and blood profile in adult male chickens reared under tropical Nigerian conditions. A total of 60 adult male chickens from four breeds (White Yaffa, Noiler, Fulani ecotype and Yoruba ecotype), comprising fifteen birds per breed, were reared. The body weight, physiological, serum biochemical and haematological parameters of the birds were assessed. Data were collected and subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and correlation analysis at p<0.05. The findings revealed that the White Yaffa and Noiler breeds demonstrated superior body weight compared to the indigenous Fulani and Yoruba ecotypes. Body and rectal temperatures across breeds fell within the normal physiological range for chickens. Heart rate and respiratory rate varied significantly for White Yaffa. Fulani and Yoruba Ecotypes exhibited higher Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)- (Fulani: 13.33 U/L; Yoruba: 14.00 U/L vs. Noiler: 7.00 U/L) and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) (Fulani: 11.00 U/L vs. Noiler: 5.67 U/L), Noiler showed elevated creatinine (86.73 μmol/L vs. Yoruba ecotype: 67.63 μmol/L), while Yafa displayed the highest globulin (40.33 g/L). Glucose, total protein, and urea remained stable across breeds. Noiler and White Yaffa exhibited higher values of red blood cell, haemoglobin, and packed cell volume. Fulani and Yoruba ecotypes recorded lower erythrocytic indices but higher lymphocyte and neutrophil counts. Strong correlation coefficients were observed between heart and respiratory rates (r=0.855), AST and ALT (r = 0.898), ditto urea and creatinine (r = 0.931). The study concludes that optimal poultry production in tropical environments requires use of both improved and indigenous breeds. These findings provide physiological basis for strategic breed selection in Nigeria’s poultry industry.