Performance of Nigerian Indigenous Chicken Genotypes and Their Crosses with Marshal Breed

Abstract

Background: The population of indigenous chickens has a number of important survival genes to the detriment of productive genes, these can be improved through crossbreeding with improved exotic breeds. Objectives: This study investigated the growth performance of Nigerian indigenous chicken genotypes and their crossbreds. Methods: The genotypes are normal-feathered (Nm), frizzle-feathered (Fz) and naked neck (Na) chickens while the crossbreds with Marshal (M) breed were (MNm, MNa and MFz). Data were measured on body weight and growth parameters from day-old to 20 weeks. Data analyses were done using the General Linear Model of Statistical Analysis System. Results: Results showed that genotype significantly (p<0.001) affected body weight and body parameters. At 20 weeks, body weight was 1,792.71±54.66 g, 1,746.15±68.51 g and 1,575.33±28.54 g for MNa, MFz and MNm chickens, respectively. Body weight of indigenous purebred Na, Nm and Fz were 1,726.09±70.42 g, 1,494.08±35.10 g and 1,300.00±78.41 g, respectively. Crossbreds had higher weights (1,641.15±30.66 g) compared with the indigenous purebreds (1,562.77±25.22 g), while Na birds had higher weights than others. Males consistently had higher weights (1,728.49±29.81 g) than their female counterparts (1,518.18±23.28 g). It was observed that, crossbreds generally performed better than indigenous purebreds in growth. Conclusions: Nigerian indigenous chickens can be improved with Marshal Breed for meat production.

Keywords: Genotypes, Marshal Breed, Crossbreed, Indigenous Chicken, Pure breed