Evaluation of growth performance and morphometric traits of two strains of pullets raised in Obio Akpa, Akwa Ibom State

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of strains on growth performance and morphometric traits of two strains of commercial pullets (Isa brown and Nera black). A total of 90 chicks (45 chicks per strain) were purchased from a reputable hatchery. Each strain was further replicated three times with 15 birds per replicate. Growth performance and morphometric trait measurements were determined from 0 – 10 weeks of age. The growth performance traits studied were body weight (BW), weight gain (WG), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). The morphometric traits measured were body length (BL), wing length (WL), shank length (SL), breast girth (BG) and neck length (NL). Data obtained were subjected to an independent t-test using the SPSS package. The results indicated that BW and other growth performance traits (FI, WG and FCR) were significantly influenced (p<0.05) by the strain of pullets. Nera black pullets consistently had higher BW, WG, FI and FCR than Isa brown at all ages studied. However, morphometric traits were not affected by  strains. It was also indicated in the study that regardless of strain, BW and all morphometric traits increased in mean values with the advancing age of the birds. Nera
black was identified as having better BW because it had the highest mean value in BW and other performance traits and could be recommended to farmers for an increase in productivity.