Determination of growth potentials of two chicken strains using day old phenotypic markers
Department of Animal Science Education, Faculty of Agriculture Education, Akenten Appiah Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), Mampong- Ashanti, Ghana.
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 24(02), 1438–1444
Publication history:
Received on 05 October 2024; revised on 11 November 2024; accepted on 14 November 2024
Abstract:
This study focused on assessing one day old effect of some phenotypic markers on production traits in Ross broiler chickens (ROBROS) and Southern ecotype breeds of chicken (SEC) as an alternative for genetic markers. The study was conducted at the Akenten Appiah Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED) Animal farm unit in Asante Mampong Campus of Ghana from June to December, 2022. One hundred and eighty (180) Ross broiler and 180 Southern ecotype breeds of chicks were used for the research. For each breed, the chicks were put into four groups with 45 chicks in each group. Breast length (BRL), Back length (BL), Circumference of the head (CH) and day-old body weight (DOBW) were taken on the chicks at one day old in group 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively using a tailor’s tape and a weighing scale. Chicks within each group were classified into three (3) sub groups and considered as treatments (T) 1, 2 and 3. The treatments were described as higher (T1), medium (T2), and lower (T3) ranges based on the values obtained from the measurement and reared under randomised completely block design (RCBD). Data on production traits were taken up to week 8 for the Ross broiler and 18 weeks for the Southern ecotype chicken. The results from ANOVA using Statistix indicated that for the Ross broiler chickens, T1 in all the groups were significantly (P < 0.05) superior over T3 for feed intake, body weight, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio. T2 were significantly better than T3 in terms of body weight. For the Southern ecotype chickens, T1 were significantly (P < 0.05) better than T3 for feed intake, body weight, and body weight gain. However, for feed intake and body weight gain, T2 were significantly (P < 0.05) better than T3. Pearson correlation analysis also indicated a high, strong and significant (P < 0.05) correlation between day-old phenotypic markers with body weight. Regression equations of day-old phenotypic markers with body weight were positive and significant (P < 0.05) with coefficient of determination (R2) ranging from 0.64 to 0.76 for Ross broilers and 0.81 to 0.95 for Southern ecotype chickens. CH and DOBW had the highest R2 values and thus the best predictors of body weight. Breast length, back length, circumference of the head, and day-old body weight taken on the chicks at one day old were effective in predicting final body weight. It was concluded that, the four (4) phenotypic markers could be used for selection purposes efficiently.
Keywords:
Growth potential; Phenotypic markers; Production traits; Coefficient of determination
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