ABSTRACT

The study was carried out to evaluate the growth performance, carcass and haematological characteristics of F1 progenies of local hen (Black and Brown normal feathered) and exotic male breeder (Ross 308 and Abor Acre) strains. Randomised Complete Block Design was used for the experiment. The base population constituted a total of 60 normal feathered local hens, 30 each of Brown and Black phenotype as well as 24 exotic sires comprising 12 each of Arbor Acre and Ross 308 strains were used in this experiment. The base population for the production of the F1 progenies were; Ross 308 x Brown local hen (A1R1), Ross 308 x Black local hen (A2R1), Arbor Acre x brown local hen (A1R2) and Arbor Acre x Black local hen (A2R2). Parameters measured were growth performance characteristics - Initial and final body weight, daily feed intake, average weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and percentage mortality; body weight (BW) and morphometric traits -  thigh length (TL),shank length (SL),breast width (BWDT),body length (BL) and wing length (WL),Keel length (L),Drumstick (DS), and Body weight (BW). Haematological parameters were also evaluated. The study lasted for 12 weeks. Measurements and samples were collected according to the proposed experimental design. Phenotypic correlations were also estimated. Results of growth performance traits showed higher (P<0.05) final live weight, improved average weight gain, better FCR in F1 progenies of A1R1, followed by progenies of A1R2. For linear body traits, significant (P<0.05) difference was observed among the four strains for BWDT in weeks 2 and 4, DS in weeks 2 and 4 and BW in weeks 2, 4, 6 and 8, KL in weeks 2 and 4, SL in weeks 2 and 4 and WL in week 1. It was observed that F1 progenies of A1R1 recorded higher TL (week 8-10), SL (week 2- 10), KL (week 4), WL (week 8), BL (week 2-12) and weighed heavier (week 2-12). Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed in the carcass yield of the genotypes, the live weight, dressed weight, dressing percentage and breast cut of A1R1 progenies were significantly different (P<0.05). The gizzard, liver, emptied proventriculus, large and small intestine, pancreas of the progenies of A1R1 were significantly different (P<0.05). The correlations among morphometric traits revealed positive and high correlations (P<0.01) between BW with BL and TL in A1R1 and A1R2 F1 progenies, while in A2R1 F1 progenies, TL and BL (in week 2), BL and SL (in weeks 4 and 6), and BL, KL, TL and BWDT (weeks 8, 10, 12), perfectly (P<0.01) correlated with BW. BL, TL, WL (weeks 2, 6, 8, 12) and BL, WL, KL, SL and BWDT (weeks 4, 10) showed perfect and significant (P<0.01) relationship with BW in A2R2 progenies. Haematological parameters were significantly different (P<0.05) in weeks 6 and 12. MCV, MCH and MCHC of A2R2 progenies were significantly higher (P<0.05) than others in week 6, although they all fall with the normal range. In week 12, Hb of A1R2 and A2Rs were significantly higher (P<0.05).