Authors : E.N. Nwachukwu, S.N. Ibe , K. Ejekwu and U.K. Oke
Abstract: A total of 216 day-old F1 chicks generated by main and reciprocal crossbreeding of normal local (NL), naked neck (Na) and frizzle (F) chickens with Arbor Acre broiler (E) breeder stock were used in the study. Mean day-old weights of the main crossbreds (ExNL, ExNa, and ExF) were 26.80, 26.00 and 26.50g, respectively and were significantly (P< 0.05) less than mean day-old weights of 30.10, 30.50 and 30.40g for reciprocal crossbreds (NLxE, NaxE, and FxE), respectively. These reciprocal crossbreds maintained their superiority in body weight, had higher feed intake and better feed conversion ratios till the end of experiment at 18 weeks. The linear body measurements (LBMs): body length, wing length, keel length, breast width except shank length were longer in the reciprocal crossbreds than in their main cross counterparts. The final range of body weights achieved in the main crossbreds (866.33 to 941.00g) and in the reciprocal crossbreds (1350.00 to 2150.00g) depict the main cross individuals as light birds which could be developed as egg-laying lines and the reciprocal crosses as heavy birds which could be developed as meat-type or dual purpose birds. In general, the performance of these crossbred chickens showed evidence of maternal influence with each group behaving like its dam-of-origin. The FxE individuals outperformed all other genetic groups with respect to body weight and linear body parameter development, thus indicating that the frizzle gene may be advantageous in producing fast growing chickens in the humid tropics.
Nwachukwu, E.N. , S.N. Ibe , K. Ejekwu and U.K. Oke , 2006. Evaluation of Growth Parameters of Main and Reciprocal Crossbred Normal, Naked Necked and Frizzle Chickens in a Humid Tropical Environment. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 5: 542-546.