Evaluation of Growth Traits and Short-Term Laying Performance of Three Different Strains of Chicken in the Derived Savannah Zone of Nigeria

摘要

Growth evaluation and short-term egg laying performance of 360 commercial layers of three different strains, Brown shaver (BRS), Nera black (NB) and Black shaver (BLS) were studied at day old, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks. Parameters measured were bodyweight, body length, breast girth and keel length. Body weight and other body dimensions were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by strain of chickens. Nera black layers consistently had the highest body parameters at all ages. Generally, body parameters increased with increasing age of the birds. The correlation coefficients amongst the body parameters revealed positively high and significant (P<0.05) relationship. Traits considered for egg laying performance were egg number and egg weight. Strains significantly (P<0.05) affected mean egg number and egg weight at weeks 4, 7 and 8; and 12, 13 and 15 respectively. BRS laid more eggs per bird than other genotypes, followed by NB and BLS, the least. Egg weight was highest in BRS, NB and BLS in that order. Estimates of correlation coefficient showed that the traits being considered are mostly positive but with low correlation of egg number to egg weight for BRS and BLS. Phenotypic correlations of egg traits were found to be negative between egg number and egg weights in NB.