ON-STATION PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF IMPROVED TROPICALLY ADAPTED CHICKEN BREEDS FOR SMALLHOLDER POULTRY PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Availability of appropriate genetics is important for the development of Smallholder Poultry (SHP). The biological potential of improved dual purpose chicken germplasms was evaluated in Nigeria. A total of six breeds (Fulani, FUNAAB Alpha, Kuroiler, Noiler, Sasso, and ShikaBrown) were tested on-station, in deep litter houses at two test centres (Public and Private facility) for 504 days. Birds were fed ad libitum for the first 140 days after which restricted feeding was practised. Lowest and highest hatchability of eggs set was 55% (FUNAAB Alpha) and 89% (Sasso), respectively. At 140 days, male live weights were 200 % - 300 % higher than the local chickens (975g) except ShikaBrown (152%) and Fulani (135%). Lowest (p<0.05) age at first egg were 119 days for ShikaBrown and 120 days for FUNAAB Alpha and Kuroiler. Highest hen-housed egg production was 192 for ShikaBrown, and feed intake per dozen eggs was lowest (p<0.05) for ShikaBrown (3.0 kg) and FUNAAB Alpha (3.1 kg). Mortality rate of the breeds was significantly different (p<0.05) during brooding, growing and laying. The genotype by environment interaction effect on the performance of the breeds was largely due to management practices at the test centres. Results from this study indicate that all the breeds are more suitable as dual-purpose birds compared to the local chickens.