EVALUATION OF BODY WEIGHT AND MORPHOMETRIC TRAITS OF TWO STRAINS OF LAYER CHICKEN AT GROWER PHASE OF PRODUCTION

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of strain on body weight and morphometric traits of Isa brown and Nera black strains of layer chicken at grower phase of production. A total of 90 pullets at nine weeks (45 Isa Brown and 45 Nera Black) were used for this experiment. The birds were divided into 2 treatment groups according to strains of 45birds. Each group were randomly replicated 3 times and each replicate of 15 birds were housed in a deep litter pen. Data obtained were subjected to independent t- test using SPSS package. The results indicated significant (p< 0.05) differences in body weight between the two strains studied. The results showed that Nera black had a higher (P<0.05) body weight than Isa brown from week 9 to 17. The values obtained for body weight of Isa brown was 520.51±0.61, 151.35±0.01, 1140±1.21, 1350±1.68 and 1560±6.60g at weeks 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17 respectively. Whereas the values obtained for Nera black were 600.90±6.55, 1050 ±2.21, 1260±8.41, 1470±4.95 and 1680±4.01g for weeks 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17 respectively. The results also revealed that the morphometric traits measured had no significant (P>0.05) different between the two strains studied. It was concluded that Nera black could be chosen by farmers as better option for faster production because of its ability to reach matured body weight for laying earlier.