COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF EGG PRODUCTIVITY TRAITS IN FUNAAB ALPHA, NOILER AND ISA BROWN CHICKENS

Abstract

The milestones in the improvement of the Nigerian ecotype chicken have led to the development of new chicken breeds such as the FUNAAB Alpha and the Noiler chicken breed. This research was designed to to evaluate egg productivity indices in Nigerian improved and exotic chicken. A total of forty-five (45) birds comprising of 15 each of the Noiler, FUNAAB Alpha and the Isa Brown at 18 weeks were used for the study. Egg production characteristics, Hen- housed production and Hen-day production were assessed and data generated during the study were subjected to analysis of variance and mean separated using Duncan multiple range test. The result revealed that the Noiler chicken had a significantly higher body weight at 18th week, age at first lay (20th week) and at 25th weeks than that of Isa-Brown layer and FUNAAB Alpha. In terms of genetic variability recorded in egg production, egg weight for Isa-Brown was higher at Ist lay, 23rd week of lay and 25th week of lay and had a higher mean Hen-day (80.05%) and Hen-housed production (80.45%) than Noiler and FUNAAB Alpha chickens. The results highlighted breed-specific variations in the relationship between body weight, egg weight, and age at first lay among Isa Brown, FUNAAB Alpha, and Noiler layers. Based on the findings of this study, the Isa Brown demonstrated greater efficiency in egg production as a specialized layer line.