ABSTRACT

The study was carried out to evaluate the comparative performance of Hubbard, Arbor Acres and Cobb 500 broiler genotypes based on growth performance and mortality in the humid tropics. A total of two hundred and sixteen (216) day old chicks which comprised of three (3) genotypes - Hubbard, Arbor Acres, and Cobb 500 broilers were used for the study. Each genotype was replicated four (4) times with eighteen (18) birds per replicate. The experiment lasted for 8 weeks. Data on each genotype were collected weekly at 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 weeks in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Data were collected for growth performance, carcass cut parts and internal organ proportions of the broiler genotypes. The result obtained showed that genotype of birds had significant (P<0.05) effect on all the performance traits of the three broiler chicken. The result obtained in this present study showed a progressive increase in body length and linear body measurements across the week in the three broiler genotypes. The mean body weight obtained ranged from 381.71g at week 3 to 1339.99g at week 8, the thigh length ranged from 5.38cm at week 3 to 10.75cm at week 8, the shank length ranged from 5.00cm at week 3 to 8.25cm at week 8, the breast width ranged from 12.25cm at week 3 to 21.94cm at week 8, the keel length ranged from 8.3 1cm at week 3 to 14.63cm at week 8, the drumstick length ranged from 7.25cm at week 3 to 13.19cm at week 8, the wing length ranged from 11.3 1cm at week 3 to 16.81cm at week 8, the body length ranged from 14.3 1cm at week 3 to 23.56cm at week 8. The result obtained in this study showed that low mortality percentage (2.08%) were recorded in the starter and finisher phases in the three broiler genotypes. Also, the result obtained in dressing percentage showed that Cobb 500 (61.90%) and Arbor acre (60.77%) genotypes were significantly (p<O.05) higher than Hubbard genotype (56.13%). The live weight of the three broiler genotype showed that Hubbard genotype (1425.00g) had the highest value while the Arbor acre genotype (1275.00g) had the least value in live weight. The dressed weight of the three broiler genotype showed that Cobb 500 genotype had the highest value (850.00g) and Arbor acre genotype (775.Oog) had the least value in dressed weight. The result of carcass cut parts showed that there were significant differences (P<0.05) observed in the neck and head cut parts. The neck cut showed that Cobb 500 genotype (4.5 1%) were significantly (p<O.05) higher than Hubbard (3.83%) and Arbor acre (3.77%) genotypes, the head cut showed that Cobb (2.83%) and Hubbard (2.51 %) genotypes were significantly higher (P<0.05) than Arbor acre (2.41%) genotype. However, there was no significant differences (P>0.05) in the thigh, drumstick, breast, back, wings and shank cut part. The result of internal organ yield expressed as percentage of live weight showed that there were significant differences (P<0.05) observed in the  spleen percentage, with Arbor acre genotype (0.26%) having a higher value while Cobb 500 (0.12%) and Hubbard (0.10%) genotypes had the least values. There was no significant differences (P>0.05) in the heart, liver, lungs, kidney, gizzard, pancreas, proventiculus, large and small intestine among the three broiler genotypes. From the study, Hubbard broiler genotype with the highest mean values for body weight and linear body measurements coupled with low mortality percentage is recommended to researchers and poultry farmers in this zone for increased productivity and maximum profit.