HERITABILITY ESTIMATES FOR SOME GROWTH TRAITS OF F1 PROGENIES OF THE NIGERIAN LOCAL TURKEY

Abstract

The heritability estimates of some growth traits of the f1 progenies of the Nigerian local turkey were conducted from 0 to 8 weeks of age. A total of 21 mature Nigerian local turkeys comprising seven males and fourteen females were used to generate 65 poults. Bi-weekly linear body measurements in centimetres were taken using a measuring tape, while body weights measured in grams were taken from the poults every two weeks for 8 weeks using a digital weighing scale. Body conformation traits measured included body weight, body length, breast girth, shank length, thigh length and keel length. Results showed that the h2 estimate for body weight ranged from a low value (0.140) at day-old to a high value (0.468) at the age of 8 weeks. At weeks 6 and 8, the h2 values for body weight, body length and breast girth were all high and positive, while h2 values for shank length, thigh length and keel length were low to moderate at week 8. Also at week 6, the h2 values for shank length and thigh length were negative. Although heritability of keel length at week 0 was very high, it is not recommended to carry out selection at this age because heritability estimates at earlier ages are usually influenced by maternal and environmental effects. It was concluded that the biometric traits of Nigerian indigenous turkey showed high heritability values; and hence may respond to selection. Such potentials can be exploited in the genetic improvement of Nigerian local turkey.