Authors : T.A. Adedeji , O.A. Adebambo , S.O. Peters , L.O. Ojedapo and A.O. Ige
Abstract: A total of 357 progenies (both sexes) produced by 23 sires belonging to 4 sire strains; 3 Nigerian indigenous (Naked-Neck, Frizzle and Normal) and an exotic purebred (White Leghorn) chickens were evaluated for growth traits at day-old, 4, 8, 16 and 20 weeks of age. The growth traits measured were body weight (BDW), body length (BDL), Breast Girth (BG) and Keel Length (KL). Sire genotypes significantly (p<0.05) affected BDW, BDL, BG and KL at all ages except at first week of age for breast girth (p>0.05). Significant differences were also recorded for sex for each of the growth traits at different ages (p<0.05). Progenies of Naked Neck sire were generally superior in BDW followed by Frizzle, Normal and White Leghorn progenies. Male progenies were significantly (p<0.05) heavier and possess higher linear body measurements than their female counterpart in all age except KL at day-old and 20 week of age. The significance (p<0.05) of sire x sex interactions on growth traits varied with age. This study revealed the existence of genetic variations and potential for improvement amongst the Nigerian local chickens.
T.A. Adedeji , O.A. Adebambo , S.O. Peters , L.O. Ojedapo and A.O. Ige , 2006. Growth Performance of Crossbred and Purebred Chickens Resulting from Different Sire Strain in a Humid Tropical Environment. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 5: 674-678.