SELECTION OF THE NIGERIAN INDIGENOUS FOWL FOR 12-WEEK BODY WEIGHT

Abstract

A FOUNDATION stock of 1171 male and 1210 female indigenous fowl supplied a breeding population which increased from 858 — 1627 over a period of seven generations (about 71 years) During the first three generations 30-38 % of males and females and subsequently about 2.4 — 2.7% males and 25 % females were selected positively for 12 weeks body weight. A non-selected flock mated population of 455 — 615 females and 53 — 70 males per generation provided basis for determining the response to selection. This amounted to 40.1 ± 0.37g, 36.9 ± 0.37g and 39.4 ± 0.37g per generation for male, female and the sexes combined respectively. The realised heritability estimates 0.27 ± 0 03 — 0.28 ± 0.03 appeared close to values obtained by within generation hierachial classification and suggested, no sex-linked effects for the selected trait in this population. The relatively low ultimate male and female mean weights, 760.0 ± 63.1g and 673.5 1 ± 79.0g respectively combined with the marked reduction in the variation of body weight that occurred as selection progressed indicate that the Nigerian indigenous fowl is not a potential broiler strain.