ABSTRACT
The study was conducted to determine the
performance and early lay characteristics of local and crossbred chicken
genotypes bearing plumage modifying genes. A total of 170 F1
progenies were generated from the crosses and were used to determine growth and
short term egg production characteristics of the crossbred chickens. Data
collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) while means were
separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. Correlation analysis of body
weight and egg production characteristics was done using Pearson product
moment. All data generated were analyzed using Sas (2004) package. Result
obtained showed that there was no significant (p>0.05) difference in day old
weight of the local chicken genotypes. However, their crossbred counterparts
namely normal feather, naked neck and frizzle chickens were significantly
(p<0.05) heavier than the pure local genotypes. It was observed that at the
30th week of life the main crossbreds weighed significantly (p<0.05)
higher than the reciprocal crossbreds as well as the pure locals. This showed
evidence of maternal influence in which the individuals produced by the local
chicken hens weighed less and maintained low body weight due to dam of origin
influence. Among the main crossbreds the Na x E was significantly highest in
body weight followed by na x E (normal feather x Exotic). The short term egg
production parameters among the genotypes showed that the main crossbred
individuals had significantly heavier weight at first egg (WAFE) as well as
lower age at first egg (AFE). The Na x E which had the highest WAFE also had
higher egg number and egg weight than other genotypes. Phenotypic correlation
between body weight and age at first egg were higher and positive in the main
crossbreds at 0.963 0.954 and 0.963 for F x E, Na x E and E x na and were followed by the pure local genotypes.
The total egg weight also showed significant (p<0.01) and positive
correlation with egg number in the main crossbred and reciprocals individuals
which seem to show hen of origin effect in their manifestaion. There was a
positively and significant (p<0.05) correlation between hen day egg
production (HDEP), hen housed egg production (HHEP), and age at first egg (AFE)
in the reciprocal cross E x Na, while the other genotypes showed poorer
correlation which might be due to mortality . Result obtained from regression
of body weight at first egg (WAFE) on age of birds at first egg (AFE) showed
that the pureline individuals had high and significant R2 values
ranging from 75-100% indicating that early prediction of age at first egg (
AFE) can be achieved in hens when
records are taken from the early lay production parameters .The findings of
this study showed that there were high performance in body weight and egg
production characteristics among the main
crossbred and reciprocal chicken genotypes bearing the plumage modifying
genes. These improved chicken genotypes
should be conserved and incorperated into the Nigerian poultry industry.
ADUGBA, A (2022). Performance And Early Lay Characteristics Of Local And Crossbred Chicken Genotypes Bearing Plumage Modifying Genes. Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Sep 08, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/performance-and-early-lay-characteristics-of-local-and-crossbred-chicken-genotypes-bearing-plumage-modifying-genes-7-2
ADUGBA, ADUGBA. "Performance And Early Lay Characteristics Of Local And Crossbred Chicken Genotypes Bearing Plumage Modifying Genes" Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 20 Oct. 2022, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/performance-and-early-lay-characteristics-of-local-and-crossbred-chicken-genotypes-bearing-plumage-modifying-genes-7-2. Accessed 08 Sep. 2024.
ADUGBA, ADUGBA. "Performance And Early Lay Characteristics Of Local And Crossbred Chicken Genotypes Bearing Plumage Modifying Genes". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 20 Oct. 2022. Web. 08 Sep. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/performance-and-early-lay-characteristics-of-local-and-crossbred-chicken-genotypes-bearing-plumage-modifying-genes-7-2 >.
ADUGBA, ADUGBA. "Performance And Early Lay Characteristics Of Local And Crossbred Chicken Genotypes Bearing Plumage Modifying Genes" Mouau.afribary.org (2022). Accessed 08 Sep. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/performance-and-early-lay-characteristics-of-local-and-crossbred-chicken-genotypes-bearing-plumage-modifying-genes-7-2