Authors : E.N. Nwachukwu, S.N. Ibe and K. Ejekwu
Abstract: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of main and reciprocal crossbreeding on short term egg production and egg quality characteristics of crossbred Normal Local (NL), naked neck (Na) and frizzle chicken X exotic broiler breeder stock. Result showed that the main crossbreds (ExNL, ExNa and ExF) were significantly (p<0.05) lighter in body weight at sexual maturity (960.00, 812.50 and 1030.00 g), respecting than their reciprocal crossbred (NLxE, NaxE and FxE) counterparts with body weights of 1891.67, 1576.50 and 2072.00 g, respectively. The reciprocal crossbreds also had significantly heavier egg weight at first egg and greater egg number (90 days of lay). Shell thickness and yolk weight were not significantly different (p>0.05) in all genetic groups while egg length, yolk index, albumen weight and Haugh unit were significantly (p<0.05) higher for the reciprocal crossbreds. The frizzled individual in both crosses outperformed their normal feather and naked neck counterparts in body weight and most of the egg traits evaluated thus, indicating that the frizzling gene may be advantageous in poultry production in the humid tropics. Generally, reciprocal crossbreeding resulted in a more rapid improvement of the local chicken body weight, egg production and the egg quality traits studied.
Nwachukwu, E.N. , S.N. Ibe and K. Ejekwu , 2006. Short Term Egg Production and Egg Quality Characteristics of Main and Reciprocal Crossbred Normal Local, Naked Neck and Frizzle Chicken X Exotic Broiler Breeder Stock in a Humid Tropical Environment. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 5: 547-551.