ON-FARM PERFORMANCE CHARACTERIZATION OF ECOTYPES OF THE DOMESTIC TURKEY (Meleagris gallopavo) IN SOKOTO STATE

Résumé

Fifteen flocks comprising 18 toms, 44 hens and 26 poults were monitored for on-farm performance characterization of domestic turkey in Dange-Shuni, Wurno and Kware Local Government Areas between August and November, 2011. Strains of the domestic turkeys found in the study flocks included: 'Baki", 'Banasare', 'Yarkada' and 'Fari". Average flock size was 5.86 ± 5.39 birds made up of 3 ± 2.12 hens, 1 ± 1.6 toms and 2 ± 3.78 poults. The results showed that 'Baki' (Black) strain was heavier than "Banasare" and other strains found there. It was also shown that brooding hens were heavier than resting, laying and incubating hens. Average values for live weight of toms and hens were 5588.4 ± 1437.3g and 3816.4 ± 845.5g. Poults weighed 156.36 ± 49.92g at about two weeks. Live weight of hens varied according to physiological stage (Incubating: 3611.3 ± 706.6g, Brooding; 4162.1 ± 761.7g, Resting; 3807.6 ± 909.6g, Laying; 3691.6483.2g).