Phenological Characteristics of the Barred Chicken in Western Cameroon

Abstract

Between May and June 2011, the growth performance and phenological characteristics of local barred chicken of the Western Highland Cameroon was carried out in the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Dschang. The data on body weight, body measurements and carcass characteristics were collected on 120 chickens. Matrices correlation and regression curves of body weight on body measurements were established. The results revealed high variability in morphological and biometric characters of barred chicken. At 20 weeks, the average body weight was 1204.09 and 1566.87 g respectively for female and male. The values of the different measurements were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in males as compared to the females. Otherwise, the correlation coefficients of body weight on body measurements were positive in females (0.52 to 0.67). In males, they were positive and weak (0.28 to 0.50) as compared to the females. The characters that can be used to predict weight in males were thoraxic perimeter, tarsus and body length but with a rather low accuracy. Appart from the carcass yield, weight of gizzard, abdominal fat and breast muscle which were comparables between males and females, all other parameters studied including carcass characteristics and various visceral organs were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in males as compared to the females.

Keywords: Growth performance, Phenological characteristics, Local barred chicken