CARCASS AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF F2 PROGENY OF ABIA ECOTYPE BIRDS AND THEIR EXOTIC MALE LINE CROSSES IN THE HUMID TROPICS

A. D.  Olagbegi; U. K. Oke; J. M. Nzeaghara; O. M. Obike; S. M. Urum; R. J. Nosike; C. O. Obi; E. Anieke; J. P. Ohiaegbe

doi:10.51791/njap.vi.4433

Authors

A. D. Olagbegi College of Animal Science and Production, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. Abia State Nigeria
U. K. Oke College of Animal Science and Production, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. Abia State Nigeria
J. M. Nzeaghara College of Animal Science and Production, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. Abia State Nigeria
O. M. Obike College of Animal Science and Production, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. Abia State Nigeria
S. M. Urum College of Animal Science and Production, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. Abia State Nigeria
R. J. Nosike College of Animal Science and Production, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. Abia State Nigeria
C. O. Obi College of Animal Science and Production, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. Abia State Nigeria
E. Anieke College of Animal Science and Production, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. Abia State Nigeria
J. P. Ohiaegbe College of Animal Science and Production, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. Abia State Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.4433

Keywords:

Abia-ecotype birds, exotic birds, body weights, heritability

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the meat production potentials and serum attributes of Nigerian locally adapted chickens crossed with an exotic male line. Abia Ecotype chickens from three senatorial districts of the state were used to study the growth performance and genetic traits of f₂ progenies of the birds. The birds consisted of a base population of two Abia ecotype chicken, Brown (B₁) and Black (B₂) plumage colours were used as female – lines and crossed with two exotic meat type chicken, Cobb (A₁) and Ross 308 (A₂), as male – line. The mating for the formation of F₂ was set up using a 4x4 diallelic crossing technique and the Selection of the most three productive progenies of the F₂ evaluated for further selection as improved Abia ecotype Chicken. Data were used to determine the growth performance traits, carcass and serum biochemical profile. Y1A1 (438.00) was significantly higher in week 7 while in week 8, Y1A1 (550.33) and Y2A2 (550.66) had significant (P<0.05) higher in body weight while the least was recorded in Y3A3 (440.00). Y1A1 and Y2A2 had larger breast expansion and was significant (P<0.05) higher at weeks 7 and 8. Y1A1 has longer (P<0.05) in weeks 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, while in week 5, Y1A1 and Y1A2 was higher in the mean value of keel length but was not different (P>0.05) from Y2A2. Live weight, dress weight and drumstick were significantly (P<0.05) higher in Y1A3. Y2A3 had the higher significant (P<0.05) value for dress percentage. Head and breast were higher in Y1A3. Neck and wings showed the highest (P<0.05) values in Y1A2. Y1A3 was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the value of shank. Y2A1 showed higher significance (P<0.05) thigh value, while Y3A3 had the highest significant (P<0.05) value in breast percentage. Y3A3 having the highest h² estimate of 0.78 for BWT. Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed in albumin, urea and phosphate. Albumin concentration of Y₂A₃ is significantly (P˂0.05) different when compared with other progenies but not significantly (P>0.05) different from Y₂A₁ and Y₁A₂. Urea and phosphate concentration of Y₂A₃ and Y₃A₁ were significantly higher (P<0.05) when compared to other genotypic groups. Correlation coefficient was consistently high between body weight and linear body measurements in all the progenies. From the study, Y₁A₁ and Y₁A₃ genetic groups weighed heaviest and showed distinct phenotypic characteristics among the indigenous chicken strains. Efforts are needed to conserve the genetic resources of these chickens.