Ndofor-Foleng H.M., Oleforuh-Okoleh V., Musongong G.A., Ohageni J., Duru U.E.
Department of Animal Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria; Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Nkpolu-Oroworokwu, Port Harcourt, Nigeria; Catholic University of Cameroon (Catuc), Bamenda, Cameroon
Ndofor-Foleng, H.M., Department of Animal Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria; Oleforuh-Okoleh, V., Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Nkpolu-Oroworokwu, Port Harcourt, Nigeria; Musongong, G.A., Catholic University of Cameroon (Catuc), Bamenda, Cameroon; Ohageni, J., Department of Animal Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria; Duru, U.E., Department of Animal Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
An experiment was carried out to evaluate some reproductive and growth traits of Nigerian indigenous light ecotype and exotic chicken for possible egg and meat-type chicken development. This study was undertaken to contribute to the genetic improvement of the Nigerian indigenous chicken by crossing with an exotic egg type strain Isa Brown. The birds were arranged in 3 breeding groups: BG<inf>1</inf> (Local cocks (EC) X Exotic females (EF)), BG<inf>2</inf>(exotic cocks (EC) X local females (LF)) and BG<inf>3</inf> (local cocks (LC) X local females (LF)). The hens were subjected to natural mating and eggs laid were collected according to breeding groups and hatched. The offsprings that were generated were used for growth performance studies. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance. Results indicated significant (P<0.05) effect of genotype on fertility and hatchability of eggs. Percentage fertility across the genotypes were 70.00, 72.60 and 82.00, while hatchability was 69.70, 84.00, and 60.97%, for BG<inf>1</inf>, BG<inf>2</inf>and BG<inf>3</inf>respectively. The cross bred (BG<inf>1</inf> and BG<inf>2</inf>) had higher egg weight (60.42g, 51.40g), than BG<inf>1</inf> (38.64g). There was significant effect (p<0.05) in all the weekly body weights studied. The findings showed that breeding local pullets with local cocks, improved fertility while hatchability were improved by breeding local pullets with exotic cock. Body weights of chicks hatched from eggs of the exotic pullets with local cock were better than the other groups. Exotic chickens are recommended for the improvement body weight of the light ecotype chicken in Nigeria. © 2015, Agricultural Research Communication Centre. All rights reserved.