Utilisation and Registration Assessment Status of Chicken Genetic Resources in Nigeria

There are sizeable numbers of exotic chickens that are being utilised for commercial production of day-old chicks (DOC), eggs and meat without adhering to the regulation governing the commercial utilisation of livestock breeds in Nigeria. Data was obtained through structured questionnaire on the utilisation and registration status of chicken breeds among the day-old chicks (DOC) Merchants Association in Nigeria. A total of 400 DOC merchants were randomly selected, interviewed on the chicken breeds, types and the promoting companies. The data obtained were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis of simple percentages and proportions. The age of majority DOC merchants ranged between 46 – 55 years for male and 36 – 45 years for female representing 40.91% and 39.44% respectively. The highest educational qualification of the male respondents is Higher National Diploma or First Degree and Ordinary National Diploma for the female respondents representing the percentages of 36.36% and 36.11% respectively. Eight layers, six broilers, two dual-purpose, special male and cockerels were identified being utilised for the commercial production of DOC in Nigeria. Similarly, eleven major chicken promoters/breeders’ farms and numerous subsidiary promoters were identified. The patronage of DOC by customers is not restricted to Nigeria alone but stretched to other West African Countries. The male and female DOC merchants usually realised the sales volume of 05 to 20 boxes at 27.73% and 38.89% per market day and least of 301 – 500 boxes at the proportions of 0.50 and 0.56 respectively. The chicken breeds used for the production of DOC, eggs and meat should be registered to aid documentation, inventory and also expedite government interventions on the industry.