Effect of Genotype and Sex on Growth Performance of Improved Nigerian Indigenous and Three Exotic Chickens

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of genotype and sex on the growth performance of an improved Nigerian Indigenous Chicken (FUNAAB Alpha) and three exotic chicken genotypes. A total number of 480 birds were used for the trial. The four chicken genotypes were FUNAAB Alpha, ISA Brown, Nera Black and Amberlink White. Each genotype contained 60 males and 60 females, replicated 3 times. Data collected were subjected to a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement. Results showed that the growth performance across genotypes and sexes was significant (P<0.05). The initial weight was significantly (P<0.05) higher (35.09g) in Isa Brown and lower (27.28g) in FUNAAB Alpha. However, the final weight, weight gain and total feed intake were highest (2130.17g, 2102.89g and 9473.66g) in FUNAAB Alpha and lowest (1648.17g, 1616.23g and 8496.91g) in Amberlink White. The final weight, weight gain and total feed intake per bird were higher in male than female. The final weight was highest (2463.33g) in males of FUNAAB Alpha and lowest (1533.00g) in females of Amberlink White. The feed conversion ratio was best in FUNAAB Alpha (4.61), likewise in male (4.78) than the female (5.44) across chicken genotypes. The highest (P<0.05) mortality was recorded in FUNAAB Alpha (2.50%), while there was no mortality in Amberlink White. In conclusion, both sexes of FUNAAB Alpha, being a dual-purpose strain, performed better in most of the growth traits than other genotypes.