Effects of Sex, Batch and Location on the Growth Performance of Tiv Chicken Ecotype

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the effects of sex, batch and location on the growth performance of Tiv chicken ecotype. A total of 225 chicks (both male and female) of Tiv ecotype from five communities (locations) were collected in four batches of hatching from the base populations and brooded.  The birds were randomly assigned according to their batches, tagged and balanced for weight at the commencement of the experiment. The growth parameters taken were initial body weight, final body weight (FBW), average weight gain (AWG) and growth rate (GR). All data collected were subjected to three-way analysis of variance to test the effects of sex, batch and location on the growth performance of Tiv chicken ecotype. Significant means were compared using Duncan Multiple Range Test. Effect of sex on the growth performance revealed that sex had significant (P<0.05) effect on most parameters except initial body weight. The FBW, AWG and GR for male recorded were 548.40 ±2.89 g, 520.79± 2.89 g and 94.94 ±0.03%, respectively There were significant (P<0.05) differences for the values of FBW, AWG and GR with batch 1 having better growth performance. The effect of location on the growth performance showed that birds from Ushungo community had significantly (P<0.05) higher final body weight (536.30±4.72 g) and average weight gain (508.69±4.73 g) while the least final body weight (518.42±4.21 g) and average weight gain (490.95±4.22 g) were observed for birds from Yelwata community. Male, batch 1 and USH had higher growth performance and are therefore recommended.