Evaluation of growth traits in three strains of broiler chicken

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the growth performance of Marshall, Cobb and Arbor acre strains of broiler chicken. A total number of three hundred (300) day-old broiler chicks of Arbor acre, Cobb and Marshall strains were raised under the same management condition. Data was obtained on the growth performance and analyzed. Cobb strain had the highest weight of 175.78 ± 2.51g at 2 weeks of age while Arbor acre and Marshall strain had similar (p>0.05) body weight at that age. Marshall had the highest body weight of 1804.37± 50.47g followed by Cobb with a weight of 1760.16 ±15.38g) while Arbor acre had the least body weight of 1683.43 ± 25.06g at 8weeks. Cobb strain had the highest body length (32.33 ± 0.10cm) at 8 weeks. All the strain studied had similar breast girth at 4 weeks. However, Marshall strain had the highest breast girth followed by Arbor acre while Cobb strain had the least breast girth at maturity. Marshall strain and Arbor acre had similar thigh lengths while the least thigh length was recorded for the Cobb strain. The effect of sex was significant (p<0.05) on all the growth parameters at 8weeks as male broilers had higher body measurements than their female counterparts. In conclusion, Marshall strain had better growth performance than Arbor acre and Cobb strain of broiler chicken.