GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF CROSSBRED LOCAL (INDIGENOUS) CHICKENS FROM HATCH TO MATURITY

Abstract

Two popular strains of crossbred local chickens were used in the study for the purpose of establishing the fundamental growth information, from hatch to the age of sexual maturity at 22 weeks. A total of 200 birds comprised of equal number of males and females were used. Similar sigmoid growth curves and patterns were exhibited in their growth performance. A phase of accelerated growth observed reached a point of inflection (POI) at the ages of between 8 and 9 weeks. The POI coincides with the maximum growth rate which then starts to decline until maturity. Male birds were observed to be significantly superior to females from week 8 onwards, the superiority being most apparent between weeks 9 and 15 when significant differences in body weight gains were also observed. Two factorial designed was used, and ANOVA was the statistical tool.