[ Objective] The paper presents the polymorphism of neuropeptide Y gene （NPY） and its relationship with traits at first laying in Wen- chang chicken in order to provide information for breeding of high-yielding Wenchang chicken. [Method] The polymorphism of NPYgene at Dra I site was detected by PCR-RFLP, and the genotypes and the genetic stability were determined. The correlation between the polymorphism and traits at first laying （age, body weight and egg weight） was also analyzed. [Result] There were three kinds of genotype of NPYgene at Dra I site in Wenchang chicken, designated as AA, AB and BB; the distribution of these genotypes was consistent with the Hardy -Weinberg law; age and egg weight were not significantly different among the three genotypes （ P 〉0.05）, and body weight was extremely significantly different （ P 〈0.01 ）. [ Conclusion] The NPYgene of Wenchang chicken is in Hardy -Weinberg equilibrium at Dra I site, and its genetic polymorphism affects body weight at first laying.
