PHENOTYPIC CORRELATION OF BODY WEIGHT OF SELECTED INDIGENOUS TURKEY (Meleagris gallopavo) AT DIFFERENT AGES IN ZARIA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the phenotypic correlation of body weight of selected indigenous turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) at different ages in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. The foundation stock consisted of 9 adult turkeys that comprised of three Sire and six Dams, each sire served as replicate and was mated to two dams. Eggs were collected and hatched. A total of 45 F1 poults were produced, at 8 weeks, three toms and six hens with high body weight were selected while others were maintained as control group. The procedure used in producing F1 was adopted for F2 body weight of both the selected and the control were taken at an interval of 4 weeks up to 36 weeks. Data generated were subjected to the General Linear Model (GML) procedure of SAS, differences between generations were compared using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The results revealed significantly (p<0.05) higher BW in G2 (46.78±0.18g to 6208.72±60.80g) over G1 (44.21±0.27g to 6065.30±50.70g), with higher coefficient of variation (CV) observed in G1 (4.2 to 37.68) over G2 (2.91 to 30.29). Thus, selection for increased 8 weeks BW increases BW of indigenous turkey even at later age. Positively significant (p<0.05) relationship was observed in body weight among different ages which ranges from high to moderate in generations (0.993-0.270) one and (0.989-0.268) two. Positive relationship observed was as a result of the same gene controlling the body weight at different ages with increasing expressivity as observed in the increase in weight of the generation two over generation one. This suggest that an increase in body weight at any age could lead to an increase in associated ages as a result of the positive relationship between body weight at different age.