BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) AND PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF TWO STRAINS OF UNSELECTED BREEDER TURKEY (Meleagris gallopavo) IN ZARIA, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess body mass index (BMI) and some production performance of two strains of unselected breeder Turkey. The data was generated from (n=64) Turkeys comprising (n=32 each) of Norfolk black and Mammoth bronze strains. The growth and body linear measurements studied included body weight (BW), body length (BL), body height (BH), chest girth (CG) and shank length (SL). Haematological parameters included pack cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC) and total protein (TP). Data was collected when over 70% of the females were into lay (38 weeks of age). Result indicated that the BMI (g/cm2) for Mammoth male and female are 160.03+6.66 and 115.08+6.55, respectively. While for Norfolk male and female was 161.96±7.02 and 105.41±2.37, respectively. BW (g) in the Mammoth male and female was 7100.00+351.18 and 4110.00±193.90, respectively. While for Norfolk male and female it was 7183.33+358.62 and 3710.00±79.68, respectively. This showed that the males of the two strains have significantly higher BMI and BW than the females. Lower BMI is an indication of reduced fat deposition, which is required for breeder females. Result for body linear measurements showed no sexual dimorphism and/or strain effect in both Mammoth and Norfolk strains. The result of haematological parameters shows that there was significant difference between strains but no significant sex effect. It was concluded that females of the two strains performed better in their laying period by having low BMI. The males however, showed good performance for their age.