The present study aimed to characterize select morphometric traits and assess their inter-relationships in indigenous chickens of Kerala, India. A total of 200 adult birds (36 males and 164 females) were evaluated under field conditions in two agro-climatic zones, namely, Thrippangottur Panchayat in Kannur district and Chekkiad Panchayat in Kozhikode district. Morphometric measurements including body weight, shank length, beak length, wattle size and spur length were recorded and indices of shank and beak lengths relative to body weight) were computed. Results revealed significant sexual dimorphism in all traits except the relative lengths and beak–shank length index. Males exhibited significantly (P<0.01) higher values for body weight (1652.65 vs. 1409.34 g), shank length (93.65 mm vs. 79.70 mm), beak length (32.47 mm vs. 29.98 mm) and spur length (4.06 mm vs. 2.12 mm) compared to females. District-wise comparisons showed no substantial differences in absolute trait values except for shank length, which was significantly (P<0.01) longer in birds from Kannur. Relative shank and beak lengths were significantly (P<0.01) higher in Kozhikode birds, indicating possible regional adaptation. Phenotypic correlations showed strong (P<0.01) positive associations between body weight and both shank and beak lengths in both sexes. Additionally, shank and beak lengths were positively correlated (P<0.01), while relative shank and beak lengths showed a significant (P<0.01) correlation with each other, suggesting proportional appendage development. These findings contribute valuable baseline data for future genetic improvement and conservation strategies targeting indigenous chicken germplasm in Kerala. 

Highlights

• Indigenous chickens exhibit sexual dimorphism in morphometric traits.
• Regional variation in relative measurements but not in sex-wise variation indicated possible local adaptation.