Authors : K. Ngeno, T.M. Magothe, T.O. Okeno, B.O. Bebe and A.K. Kahi
Abstract: The objective of this study was to estimate heritabilities and genetic and phenotypic correlations among and between Body Weights (BW) to 20 weeks of age and growth curve parameters (asymptotic weight, A, scaling parameter, b and maturity index, k of Indigenous Chicken (IC) populations in Kenya. The growth parameters was estimated using the Gompertz Model and a sire model was used to estimate (co) variance components for BW at specific ages and growth curve parameters (A, b and k). The heritability estimates were low for the BW at hatch (BW0, 0.170), moderate for BW in week 20 (BW20, 0.280) and high for the BW in week 8 (BW8, 0.560). The high heritability estimate for BW8 indicates that genetic variability for BW seems to be high enough for selection. Thus, the use of BW8 as selection criterion would seem more efficient than the use of bodyweight at other ages. The heritability estimates were low for b (0.050) and moderate for A (0.260) and k (0.290). The moderate heritability estimates for A and k indicate the growth curve parameters could be applied to change the shape of the growth curve through selection. The correlations between mature weight and maturation rate were negative indicating that if selection is used to increase asymptotic weight then there will be negative indirect selection on maturation rate.
K. Ngeno, T.M. Magothe, T.O. Okeno, B.O. Bebe and A.K. Kahi, 2013. Heritabilities and Correlations Between Body Weights and Growth Curve Parameters of Indigenous Chicken Populations Reared Intensively in Kenya. Research Journal of Poultry Sciences, 6: 43-52.