Prediction of body weight and carcass yield from morphometric traits of three strains of broiler chicken

Abstract

A study was conducted to establish the correlation between morphometric traits and carcass yield as well as predict carcass yield from morphometric traits in three strains of broiler chicken. The morphometric traits studied were Wing length (WL), Keel length (KL), Thigh length (TL), Body girth (BG) and Body height (BH), while the carcass yield were dressed weight (DRSWT), thigh weight (TWT) and breast weight (BRSWT). A total of 144 birds were divided into three treatment groups according to strains and each group was randomly replicated four times with 12 birds per replicate. The data obtained were subjected to correlation analysis, linear and multiple regression analyses were also used to predict body weight and carcass yield from morphometric traits. The results showed that the correlation between body weight, morphometric traits and carcass traits were significantly positive (p<0.001) with correlation coefficient ranging from 0.068 – 0.993, 0.216 – 0.882 and 0.027 – 0.990 in Arbor Acres, Ross 308 and Cobb 500 respectively. The correlation between breast weight and all morphometric traits were positive and significantly high (p<0.001) in all the three strains of broiler studied. suggesting dependency among these traits. Simple linear regression equation predicted carcass yield from morphometric traits in all the three strains, as R2 value computed using each morphometric trait in the three strains were above 50%. However, inclusion of more than one trait in the regression model increased the accuracy of prediction. It could be recommended that more than one trait should be included in the regression model for greater accuracy.