AGONISTIC DISPLAYS OF TWO IMPROVED TROPICAL BREEDS OF POULTRY ADMINISTERED EXOGENOUS TESTOSTERONE

Abstract

One hundred and fifty (150) Noiler and one hundred and fifty (150) Funaab Alpha birds were procured at Day old and reared in a farm stead at Aluu in Ikwere Local Area of River State. Between 10 to 14 weeks of age, the birds received weekly intramuscular injections of testosterone enathate at a dosage of 5g per kg live weight. The birds were fed a commercial starter and grower diet. A CCTV camera recorded the agonistic displays of the birds from the twelfth to fifteenth week at 700hrs and 1700hrs.It was observed that agonistic acts like Chases, Pushes, Kicks and pecks were higher in the birds that received testosterone in both breeds compared to birds in the Control that received no testosterone. The agonistic acts were however not a serious enough threat to the wellbeing and overall productivity of the birds