Authors:A.O. Adebambo, C.O.N. Ikeobi, M.O. Ozoje, Olufunmilayo, A.Adebambo
Nig. J. Anim. Prod. 2009. 36 (2): 211-227,2009
Abstract
Genetic variation from a combination of four breeds of chickens Anak Titan, Alpha, Giriraja and normal
indigenous chickens) were examined for importance of sire, dam, season and sex on growth traits using a Mixed-model Least-Squares and Maximum bikelihood computer program. The results show that sire and dam genotypes significantly (P<0.05) affected growth. Anak Titan cocks and hens performed best in body weight (BW) with values ranging from 38.45+ 0.74g and 40.21+ 0.66g at day old to 1135.9335.67f and 953.38 35.3g at week 12 repectively. Normal indigenous and Alpha improved indigenous performed better in linear body parameters. Genetic correlation coefficients among parameters for all the breeds were generally high. Positive estimates ranged from 0.15 for breast girth (BG) and kneel length (KL) at week four to 0.99 for BG-KL at week twelve, while negative values ranged from 0.783 for body weight (BW) and wing length (WL) at week four -0.99 for BW-BG at week twelve. Heritability estimates for body weight ranged from 0.14 at week one to 0.63 at week four. It can be concluded that appreciable variation exists for growth tracts among the strains of chickens such variations can be utilized for improvement in the present environment
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