GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF SIX TROPICALLY-ADAPTED CHICKEN BREEDS IN BACKYARD FLOCKS ACROSS KEBBI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

On-farm growth assessment of six tropically-adapted breeds of chicken was conducted in six locations in Kebbi state, Nigeria. The birds were distributed by the African Chicken Genetic Gains (ACGG) project. The study was designed to generate baseline data that could be used in the chicken selection and improvement program in the study area. A semi-structured questionnaire and field observation were used for data collection. Data were collected from 208 households, each with one of the six chicken breeds randomly distributed in batches at six weeks of age covered growth of birds from week 7-18. General Linear Model (GLM) of the SPSS was used for analyzing the data. Mean body weight at 18 weeks was similar and higher for Noiler, Sasso, Kuroiler and Funaab alpha (1383g, 1374g, 1339g and 1303g) than that of Fulani (1116g) which is higher than that of ShikaBrown (817g) respectively across the locations (P<0.05). Expectedly, Cocks recorded higher mean live weight than the pullets (1338 versus 1104g) in all the breeds and across the locations (P<0.05). The significance of interaction between location and breed on the overall growth performance of the birds was underlined.