Adomako K., Olympio O.S., Hagan J.K., Hamidu J.A.
Department of Animal Science, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana; Department of Animal Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
Adomako, K., Department of Animal Science, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana; Olympio, O.S., Department of Animal Science, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana; Hagan, J.K., Department of Animal Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana; Hamidu, J.A., Department of Animal Science, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana
Abstract: 1. Two experiments were conducted to develop naked neck (Na/na) and normal feathered (na/na) crossbreds and compare their growth performance, linear body measurements and carcass characteristics in the first and second filial generations.2. In the first experiment, 4 indigenous naked neck males (Na/na) were mated to 36 Lohmann commercial females (na/na) in a ratio of 1:9. The two genotypes (Na/na, na/na) were allocated randomly according to batches of hatch, sire lines and sex to three different villages.3. In the second experiment, 10 males and 100 females of F1 Na/na birds were selected and mated inter se in a ratio of 1:10. The three genotypes (Na/Na, Na/na and na/na) were compared in a randomised complete block design experiment, with the three villages, hatch and sex as blocks and the three genotypes as treatments. F1 Na/na birds had significantly higher (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio, body weight, body weight gain, linear body measurements, survivability and carcass yield than their na/na counterparts.4. In the F2 generation, Na/Na and Na/na birds had significantly higher (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio, body weight, body weight gain, linear body measurements, survivability and carcass yield compared to their na/na counterparts.5. The birds showing the naked neck phenotype appeared to show superior performance compared to normal feathered birds and could be exploited for potential utilisation in local poultry production. © 2014, © 2014 British Poultry Science Ltd.
Aves; anatomy and histology; animal; animal husbandry; body weight; chicken; feather; female; genetics; Ghana; growth, development and aging; hybridization; male; neck; physiology; tropic climate; Animal Husbandry; Animals; Body Weight; Chickens; Feathers; Female; Ghana; Hybridization, Genetic; Male; Neck; Tropical Climate