Abstract: To elucidate the genetic differences and genetic relationships among four chicken lines (Gushi Fast-feathering line，Gushi slow-feathering line, Short-green shell egg line and Yellow plumage-Silky black-bone chicken line) at genome DNA level and provide the basic data for utilization the heterosis between them， the RAPD assays were conducted in this study by using blood samples of the four chicken lines．40 primers which had produced good polymorphie RAPD markers were selected from 186 random primers．The genomic DNA pools from the total genome DNA of the four chicken lines were assayed by using the primers screened and 387 reproducible amplified fragments which were 100 to 2220 bp long were obtained．Average band sharing coeficient and genetic distance index among four chicken breeds were estimated according to RAPD polymorphie data．The results revealed that the genetic relationship between Gushi slow-feathering line and Short-green shell egg line was closer，which had a closer relationship with Gushi Fast-feathering line, respectively. whereas the genetic relationship between Yellow plumage-silky black-bone chicken line and other line was the most distant than any other pairs．

Key words: genetic distances; RAPD; chicken