Effect of Strain on some Production and Reproductive Traits of Chickens in Nigeria
Abstract
An experiment was carried out at the poultry unit of the Federal College of Land Resources and Technology, Vom, Plateau State to compare the egg production performance and fertility of three strains of chickens. A total of 85 sexually mature chickens from three strains were used for the study as follows; FUNAAB-alpha – 15 cocks and 15 hens, ISA Brown – 15 cocks and 15 hens, Bantam – 15 cocks and 10 hens. The birds were fed a commercial diet (17% CP and 2800 kcal/kg ME) and water ad libitum throughout the six months experimental period. Hens were inseminated twice a week with pooled semen from cocks of same strain to obtain fertile eggs. Data on hen day egg production, external and internal egg qualities, fertility and hatchability were recorded. All data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance in a Completely Randomized Design using the linear model of Statistix 9.0. The FUNAAB-alpha strain had the highest (P<0.05) hen day egg production (68.95%) followed by ISA brown (58.85%) while the Bantam had the least (47.50%). Strain significantly (P<0.05) affected egg weight, height and width, and shape index. Eggs of the ISA Brown were heaviest followed by FUNAAB-alpha. Albumen weight and height were higher (P<0.05) for the ISA brown hens. Similarly, egg shells were heavier (P<0.05) for the ISA brown. Shell percentage and thickness were higher (P<0.05) for the Bantam compared to others. Fertility and hatchability were highest (P<0.05) (34.00 and 53.33%) for the FUNAAB alpha followed by the Bantam (33.00 and 26.53%) while the Isa Brown had the least (P<0.05) (19.75 and 8.33%). It was concluded that the FUNAAB- alpha compared favourably with the ISA brown but was superior to the Bantam in egg production. Fertility and hatchability were best for the FUNAAB alpha and bantam and hence they can be recommended for adoption by farmers in Nigeria.
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References
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