Authors: Egbeyale L.T., Abiola S.S., Sogunle O.M., Ozoje M.O.
Agriculture and Biology Journal of North America
ISSN Print: 2151-7517, ISSN online: 2151-7525, doi: 105251/1bjna. 2011.2.12.1445.1453
Abstract
This study was conducted to determine the effect of egg size and strain on growth performance of
cockerel chicks obtained from Dominant Black (DB) and Yaffa Brown (YB) strains of pullet. A total
number of two hundred and seventy day-old cockerels hatched from three different egg sizes (i.e
45 chicks from small, medium and large egg sizes for each of DB and YB) were used for this
study. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance in a 2 x 3 factorial experimental
layout. The initial weight of the chicks was significantly (P<O.05) influenced by the egg size. Final
weight and average daily weight gain were the only growth parameters affected (P<O.05) by egg
size till the end of starter phase. The effect of strain on all the growth parameters measured were
not significantly (P>0.05) different. At the growing phase, feed intake decreased significantly
(P<0.05) with increase in egg size. It was concluded that setting of medium and large egg sizes
could only be beneficial if the target was to sell chicks of the two strains at the end of chick phase.
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