COMPARATIVE GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF THREE NIGERIAN CHICKEN GENOTYPES

Abstract

Body parameters of three Nigerian chicken genotypes were monitored weekly at different stages of their development: the chick and the grower stage. The genotypes evaluated were the Funnab Alpha, the Shika Brown and the local chicken. The body parameters monitored were the body weight, the body length, the shank length, the thigh length, the wing length, the breast length and the breast girth. The data collected were subjected to one-way analysis of variance using the General Linear Model Procedure (SAS, 2004). Mean separation for significant effects were done using New Duncan Multiple Range Test (Duncan, 1955). Regression of the body weight (dependent variable) on the linear measurements (predictors) was done using the Pearson’s Moment Correlation (SAS, 2004).From the results obtained, Funnab Alpha had the best performance followed by Shika Brown, then the local chicken. Highly significant (P<0.01) with high coefficient of determination were obtained for Funaab Alpha (0.918±202.2248) and Shika Brown (0.880±187.7151), and a lower coefficient for the local chickens (0.357±637.4092).