Melanocortin 1-receptor (MC1R) gene is a key gene in melanogenesis in mammal. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected in MC1R gene exon using PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing in chicken. Then these SNPs were analyzed in a CAU three-generation chicken population whose founder population are broiler and white-silk chickens. The result of these analysis indicated that the polymorphisms of the amplified fragment of primer pair 3 is due to a single point mutation G867A, and primer pair 5 is due to two other single point mutations C1292T and C1377G. Lastly, the relations between SNPs and chicken melanin traits were analyzed, the results showed that there was significant correlation （P＜0.05）between the G867A mutation and chicken skin color , between the C1292T mutation and chicken live body shank color and between the C1377G mutation and chicken meat color. The results of the study indicated that MC1R gene is the candidate gene that regulates melanin traits in chicken.