ABSTRACT
This experiment evaluated the production performance of three chicken strains in the humid tropics. Three hundred (300) day-old chicks, 100 each of Arbor Acre broiler (AAB), Noiler hybrid (NOH) and Yoruba ecotype chicken (YEC) were randomly replicated five (5) times with 20 birds per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Measurements were done in two phases 0-8 and 10-16 weeks. Body weight(BWT) and linear body parameters; body length(BL),keel length(KL),breast width(BWD),drumstick length(DL) shank length(SL), wing length(WL),body depth(BD) were measured fortnightly. Average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily weight gain (ADWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and percentage mortality, carcass cut-parts and internal organ proportions were evaluated. Data obtained were analyzed using the SAS (2011) package for analysis of variance procedures and significant means separated using Duncan’s multiple Range Test. Phenotypic correlations of body weight and linear body traits, live weight and carcass traits, as well as correlations among linear traits and repeatability estimates for weeks 4, 8, 12 and 16 were also done. Results obtained showed significant strain (P <0.05) effects for Arbor Acre broiler over other strains in final body weight at 16 weeks of age, Arbor Acre broiler (AAB) maintained strain superiority (P<0.05) in almost all the performance traits evaluated, average daily weight gain: AAB (35.24), NOH (6.24) and YEC (4.90), average daily feed intake: AAB (149.41), NOH (75.40) and YEC (68.79), feed conversion ratio: AAB (4.24), NOH (12.07) and YEC (13.82) except in percentage mortality where Noiler hybrid performed better (P<0.05) with 6% mortality. In carcass evaluation, Arbor Acre broiler maintained its superiority in both phases of (0-8) and (9-16) weeks of age, dressed percent: AAB (71.91%, 83.62%), NOH (53.96%, 78.36%), YEC (62.08%, 76.89%) and dressed weight: AAB (1131.67g, 3380.00g), NOH (600.00g, 1780.00g), YEC (460.00g, 1330.00g). Noiler hybrid and Yoruba ecotype strains performed better (P<0.05) in drumstick and wing. Yoruba Ecotype chicken had higher (P<0.05) shank length (6.57 cm) in week 9-16. Correlations between body weight and linear traits, live weight and carcass traits showed highly significant and positive associations. High to moderate associations were observed between live weight and internal organs in the Yoruba ecotype followed by the Arbor Acre broiler strain whereas low association was observed in the Noiler hybrid. Regression of body weight and linear body traits indicated that quadratic model produced better (P<0.05) coefficients of determinations (R2 %) for Arbor Acre with higher accuracy of prediction in 10-16 weeks of age. Repeatability estimates of body parameters for 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age showed that both Arbor Acre and Noiler hybrid had the highest repeatability estimates of 71.33 ± 4.38 and 72.96 ± 4.38 for body length and drumstick respectively in the 16th week of age and Yoruba ecotype with the highest estimate of 99.99 ± 5.18 in the 12th week for drumstick. The results of this study revealed that AAB maintained superiority and showed significant values in body weight and linear body traits as well as other traits measured among the strains except for internal organ proportions where the Yoruba ecotype chicken maintained superiority. Noiler hybrid (NOH) and Yoruba ecotype chicken (YEC) have the potentials to be reared in humid tropics with improved management system.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Title
Page i
Certification ii
Declaration iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgement v
List
of Tables vi
List
of Figures vii
Abstract xi
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background Information 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem 4
1.3 Objectives 5
1.4 Justification 5
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Definition of Poultry 7
2.1.1 History of domestic chickens 9
2.1.2 Growth
performance of indigenous chickens 10
2.1.3 Carcass
parts and organs of indigenous chickens
12
2.1.4 Body weight 13
2.1.5 Breed improvement 14
2.2 Morphometric Traits of Chicken 16
2.2.1 Repeatability 17
2.2.2 Body weight prediction in poultry 19
2.3 Carcass characteristics of chicken 22
2.4 Phenotypic Correlation 23
2.4.1 Correlation between weight and linear traits
in poultry 24
2.4.2 Genotype and linear body performance 25
2.4.3 Body
weight and linear body performance 26
2.4.4 Breeds and Classification of Poultry Chicken 29
2.5 Development of Broiler Breeds 33
2.6 Noiler Hybrid
35
2.7 Yoruba ecotype
36
CHAPTER 3: MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 Experimental site 37
3.2 Management of experimental birds 37
3.3 Experimental procedure 38
3.4 Parameters measured 39
3.4.1 Growth performance traits 39
3.4.2 Growth parameters 39
3.5 Carcass traits 40
3.6 Experimental designs and statistical analysis 41
3.7 Estimation of phenotypic correlations 42
CHAPTER 4: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
45
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Conclusion
94
5.2 Recommendations 95
REFERENCES 96
APPENDICES 111
LISTS OF TABLES
2.1: Production
characteristics of indigenous scavenging chicken in
sub-saharan
Africa 12
2.2: Organ
weights and carcass composition of local chickens at different
ages
in a tropical country of Africa 13
2.3: Flock size and Poultry farming objectives
in Nigeria 15
2.4:
Efficiency of strategies for
improving poultry production 16
2.5:
Performance of the broilers from 1923
to 2001
35
3.1: Composition of experimental diets 38
4.1 Growth performance of Arbor Acre Broiler,
Noiler hybrid and Yoruba
ecotype
chicken strains 46
4.2 Body
weight and linear body measurement of Arbor Acre Broiler,
Noiler
hybrid and Yoruba Ecotype chicken strains (Week 2-8) 51
4.3 Body
weight and linear body measurement of Arbor Acre Broiler,
Noiler
hybrid and Yoruba ecotype chicken strains (Week 9-16) 54
4.4 Carcass
cut-parts of Arbor Acre Broiler, Noiler hybrid and Yoruba
ecotype
chicken strains at 8 weeks 57
4.5
Internal organ proportions of Arbor
Acre Broiler, Noiler hybrid and
Yoruba
ecotype chicken strains at 16 weeks 60
4.6 Phenotypic
correlations between body weight and linear traits in Arbor
Acre
Broiler, Noiler hybrid and Yoruba ecotype chickens 63
4.7
Phenotypic correlations between live
weight, dressed weight and carcass
cut parts 66
4.8
Phenotypic correlations between live
weight and internal organs 69
4.9
Phenotypic correlations among linear traits (wks 2-8) in Arbor Acre 74
4.10
Phenotypic correlations among linear traits (wks 10-16) in Arbor Acre 75
4.11
Phenotypic correlations among linear traits (wks 2-16) in Arbor Acre 76
4.12
Phenotypic correlations among linear traits (wks 2-8) in Noiler
hybrid 77
4.13
Phenotypic correlations among linear traits (wks 10-16) in Noiler
hybrid 78
4.14
Phenotypic correlations among linear traits (wks 2-16) in Noiler
hybrid 79
4.15
Phenotypic correlations among linear traits (wks 2-8) in Yoruba
Ecotype 80
4.16 Phenotypic correlations among linear traits (wks 10-16) in Yoruba
Ecotype
81
4.17 Phenotypic correlations among linear traits (wks 2-16) in Yoruba
Ecotype 82
4.18 Linear and quadratic regression model for
predicting body weight
in Broilers using Linear Parameters 84
4.19 Linear
and quadratic model for predicting body weight in Noiler hybrid
using
linear parameters 86
4.20 Linear
and quadratic model for predicting body weight in Yoruba
ecotype
using linear parameters 88
4.21 Repeatability
estimates (R+Se %) of Arbor Acre Broiler
at
4, 8, 12, 16 weeks of age 91
4.22 Repeatability estimates (R+Se%) of Noiler hybrid
At 4, 8,12,16 weeks of age 92
4.23 Repeatability Estimates (R +Se%) of Yoruba
ecotype Chickens at 4, 8, 12 and 16
weeks
93
LIST OF FIGURES
1 Body
weight (g) of Arbor Acre Noiler and Yoruba ecotype from weeks
2
to
week 16 111
.2 Body length (cm) of Broiler, Noiler and Yoruba ecotype from weeks
2
to week 16 111
3 Keel lengths (cm) of Broiler, Noiler
and Yoruba ecotype
from weeks
2
to week 16 112
4 Drumstick lengths (cm) of Broiler,
Noiler and Yoruba ecotype
from weeks
2
to week 16 112
5 Shank lengths (cm) of Broiler, Noiler
and Yoruba ecotype from
weeks
2
to week 16 113
6 Wing lengths (cm) of Broiler, Noiler
and Yoruba ecotype
from weeks
2
to week 16 113
7 Breast lengths (cm) of Broiler, Noiler
and Yoruba ecotype
from weeks
2
to week 16 114
8 Body depths (cm) of Arbor Acre Broiler, Noiler and Yoruba ecotype from
weeks
2 to week 16 114
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1
BACKGROUND
INFORMATION
The
livestock industry provides a means of livelihood for large number of
populations (Hollis, 1993) thereby contributing significantly to the
nutritional status of citizens of nations. Chicken plays major role in promoting the
rural economies contributing 92% and 74% of meat and eggs consumption (Nwanta et al., 2006; Sonaiya and Swan, 2004). Any form of food policy
development does not exclude the realization of good nutritional status for the
citizenry. Nutritional status is embedded in the concept of food security which
implies “access by all people at all time to sufficient food for a healthy and
productive life” (Ajakaiye and Akinbinu, 2000). Maxwell and Smith (1992)
however assert that food security is not just a matter of quantity of food
entitlement but also the quality of entitlement. Food quality is often an undervalued issue in
Nigeria, especially in the present situation where the nation is struggling to feed a bloated
population, growing at more than 3.0 percent per annum(NBS,2016;Akpabio and
Essien,2007). However, according to Tollens (2000), the large number of people
suffering from micronutrient deficiency-related diseases stress the importance
of food quality. Food obtained from animals constitutes a crucial component in
the chain of quality-protein production in terms of net protein utilization-an
index of protein quality, calculated by multiplying protein digestibility by
biological value. Animal protein is essential in human nutrition and foods
derived from animal products are important sources of nutrients in the human
diet and play an increasing role in the human nutrition (Givens, 2005).
Consumer preference for tender and white meat necessitated increased broiler
production. Chickens provide healthy meat and cheapest of all livestock meats.
Poultry production has a less detrimental impact on the environment. Chicken have a good potential for rapid
growth, short gestation, high prolificacy, early maturing and high feed
conversion efficiency (Hollis, 1993). Broiler production provides not only high
quality animal proteins but generate quick returns on investment owing to its
short generation interval and general acceptability (Olawumi and Fagbuaro,2011).Chicken
eggs are rich in lutein which lowers the risk of cataracts and macular
degeneration and calcium an essential, normal constituent of all living body
cells for normal muscle contraction and blood clotting (Smith and
Wiseman,2007;Sparks,2006). Aho (2002) reported that broiler production and
processing technologies have become rapidly accessible and being implemented on
a worldwide basis allowing for continuous expansion and competitiveness in the
meat sector. Tremendous genetic progress
has been observed in growth rate and meat yield of broiler chicken since
several decades ago (Havenstein et al.,
1994; 2003). However, this evident progress in growth rate, and the consequent
reduction in age needed to attain market weight under optimal conditions have
not been accompanied by similar improvements under poor conditions in tropical
environments. The expansion and
improvement of the Nigerian poultry industry has been one of the major focuses
of the Federal government in order to improve the animal protein consumption of
her citizenry (CBN, 2004). The Nigerian indigenous chicken has been seen or
described as small bodied poor growth with poor feed conversion and poor meat
types (Nwosu and Asuquo, 1985). This makes them a rallying- and- focal point
for researchers and researches as 90% of the 150 million chickens in Nigerian
are local varieties which contributes 90% and 72% of the egg and meat (consumption) intake
respectively (Nwanta et al., 2006).
Breeder industries seems to be selecting against strains of broiler chickens
with tendency to deposit fat by incorporating the local genotypes, whose
conformation as well as meat yield is expected to be improved as a result of
crossing. Crosses of local strains with exotic strains are necessary for
preservation of local genetic resources, which according to IFAD (2011) are
tendering towards extinction. The utilization of improved native breeds or its
crosses has been found to result in suitable birds (Singh et al., 2003). Several reports on the characterization of the
indigenous chickens showed that they could be classified based on the
occurrences of some major genes such as Dwarf gene (DW), Naked Neck gene (Na)
and Frizzling gene (Fr) (Ikeobi et al.,
1996; Adebambo et al., 1999).
Greater variations were also reported to exist among the chickens in growth and
egg laying performance (Peters, 2000).With growing interest in quality
breeding, leanness of carcass cuts and quality of broiler meat; monitoring
changes in body weight and linear body parameters over time does not suffice
for a broiler improvement programme without inclusion of carcass traits(Hyman,1954;Adebambo
etal.,2012). Genetic progress in
broiler industry is rated in measure of changes in body growth and carcass conformation.
Genetic progress can be attained either by selection due to additive gene
effects or cross breeding(dominance) based on knowledge of the size and nature
of gene action and genetic control of related traits (Adebambo et al., 2012). In addition, genomics research and the
application of molecular genetics in the breeding programme can also contribute
(Olori, 2008).
There
are now even greater opportunities for controlling breeding programmes in
poultry (Muir et al., 2008). A range
of techniques has led to the mapping of genetic pathways that control growth,
development and metabolism of chickens (Cogburn et al., 2003) and can even reveal which genes are active at particular
points in development (Cogburn, et al.,
2003). Marker assisted selection (MAS) using QTLs (Quantitative Trait loci)
enables more efficient identification of birds with desirable characters and so
speed up the process of selection. The
emphasis so far has been on traits associated with production such as growth
rate (Pakdel et al., 2005; Gonzalez –
Recio et al., 2009), carcass quality
(Zheng et al., 2009) and egg
production (Zhang, et al., 2008). According
to Cahaner et al., (1992), Yalcin et al., (1997) the time needed to reach
market weight is prolonged, as physiological and behavioural responses to high
ambient temperature are inadequate and increase in body temperature occurs,
causing a decrease in appetite (anorexia) and in actual growth rate, leading to
lower efficiency and profitability of poultry meat production. These conditions
negatively affect also the yield and quality of broiler breast meat (Cahaner et al., 1992; Sandercock et al., 2001 and Woelfel et al., 2002).The performance of
broiler chickens is determined by its genotype and environmental factors (Boukwamp
et al., 1973; Edward and Denman,
1975).
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Noiler hybrid
is an improved tropically adapted breed (iTAB) possessing appreciable level of
immunity to endemic prevalent in the tropics and with dearth of information on
its productivity whereas Yoruba ecotype are rarely reared in the humid regions.
The manner of importation of high yielding stocks continues to increase
tremendously with little or no knowledge of problems of acclimatization,
disease and management procedure (Ayorinde, 1986), which is a major threat and
concern to the indigenous germplasm. This has contributed negatively to
research efforts towards the improvement of the local germplasm. Hence the
prompt for evaluation of performance of Noiler hybrid, Yoruba ecotype chicken strains
and Arbor Acre broiler in the humid tropics.
1.3 OBJECTIVES
The
objectives of this study were to determine:
i.
body weight and linear body measurements
of the three chicken strains.
ii.
growth performance and the carcass traits
of three strains of chicken (Noiler hybrid, Arbor Acre broiler, Yoruba
ecotype).
- phenotypic
correlations between body weights and linear body measurements; live
weight and carcass cut parts as well as among linear body traits.
- extent to which linear body measurements
could be used to predict body weight of the three chicken strains using
linear and quadratic regression models.
- Repeatability
of body weight and linear body traits at week 4,8,12 and 16.
1.4 JUSTIFICATION
Dearth of adequate information
on growth potentials of local and suitable exotic chicken genotypes in Nigeria
undermines the effort to exploit and conserve them for increased productivity. According
to Alemu and Dessie (1997), one of the ways of improving the productivity of
indigenous chicken is through crossbreeding with exotic breeds as this widens
the combining ability for production potential of exotic breeds with the
adaptability of the indigenous breeds. The exploitation of genetically diverse
stocks for improving economic traits is one of approaches in the breeding
programmes of chickens. The combining ability analysis helps to identify
desirable combiners that may be utilized to exploit heterosis (Mohammed et al., 2005). According to Berhe and Gous,(2008)
that there is evidence of differences in the performance of chicken strains in
different environments and management conditions. This study was thus carried
out with the objectives of establishing detailed relationships between body
weight and linear body measurements as well as carcass traits of Noiler hybrid
and Yoruba ecotype chicken strains in humid tropics compared to Arbor Acre
broiler using statistical analyses.
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