EVALUATING INBREEDING RATE IN POPULATION OF LOCAL MUSCOVY DUCK By

SUMMARY: This study was aimed to evaluate inbreeding rate in local population of muscovy duck in some selected localities around Lafia in North Central Nigeria. Between 2009 and 2010, five focal points were identified and data was collected. At each point and year the numbers of breeding males (Nm ) and females (Nf ), male; to female ratio (Nm/Nf ), total breeding population (N), effective population size(Ne) and ratio of breeders contributing effective genes (Ne/N) to the population and hypothetical rate of inbreeding per generation (ΔF) of the muscovy duck at each year were estimated. Total breeding population (N) for each of the studied population varied for every year and no significant increase was noticed except for Mararaba population.Ne/N ratio varied between 78 to 99%, rate of inbreeding ΔF varied between 0.008 to 0.029. The inbreeding rate in each population was consistent yearly except for one population(Mararaba). Maximizing effective population size was identified as an effective way to control inbreeding rate and depression.