ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to access the growth performance of normal local chicken X Isa brown in a humid tropical region which the major objective is to improve the adaptability of the commercial hybrid, growth rate, and if the hybrids are more of layers or a meat type breed. Ten commercial strain (Isa brown female) and two normal feathered local chicken housed in Ratio]: 5 mated through natural and artificial insemination produced 90 eggs out of which 54 hatched. The hybrids were managed under an intensive system divided into 6 replicates with 9 birds per replicate for 8 weeks. Data was collected for feed and growth parameters, linear body measurements and analyzed in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed for all the weekly values of body weight, body length, shank length, body girth, wing length, and keel length. The result portrayed an increase trend from week 1 to · week 8, with week 8 being the most significant at body weight (463.45g), body length (17.71cm) 1 shank length (11.77cm), body girth (20.87cm), wing length (15.98cm), and keel length were observed for all the weekly values of body weight, body length, shank length, body girth, wing length, and keel length. The result portrayed an increase trend from week 1 to · week 8, with week 8 being the most significant at body weight (463.45g), body length (17.71cm) 1 shank length (11.77cm), body girth (20.87cm), wing length (15.98cm), and keel length ' (10.64cm). significant differences (P<0.05) was observed in feed and growth parameters for all the weekly values; feed efficiency and daily weight gain increased from week I to week 3 (5.29%, 12.40%, 14.41%) and (1.50%, 4.68%, 5.65%) respectively. Feed conversion ratio was most significant at week 1 (18.92%) then showed a comparative significant at the remaining weeks. Feed intake was obtained as 32g/d at 4 weeks according to the multiple researches carried out by Hendrix genetic company on Isa brown. Result from the carcass shows that the back weight (16.44%/DWT) and breast weight (16.05%/DWT) constitute major meat portions followed by wing weight (9.70%/DWT) and drums stick (9.10%/DWT), the heart (0.59%/DWT) constitute the least portion. Significant positive correlation (P><0.05) were observed for all the correlating parameter at 4" and 8" weeks; body length, shank length, body girth, wing length and keel length ranged from 0.934 to 0.975 and 0.907 to 0.964 at 4" and 8" weeks respectively. In conclusion, adaptability of the normal local chicken masked that of the exotic breed because mortality experienced was almost 0.00% and that experienced at 2 weeks was due to coccidiosis infestation which resolved. Hence, discussion of this present study has shown that the progenies of the crosses has more characteristic feature of a layer than a meat type chicken. > was observed in feed and growth parameters for all the weekly values; feed efficiency and daily weight gain increased from week I to week 3 (5.29%, 12.40%, 14.41%) and (1.50%, 4.68%, 5.65%) respectively. Feed conversion ratio was most significant at week 1 (18.92%) then showed a comparative significant at the remaining weeks. Feed intake was obtained as 32g/d at 4 weeks according to the multiple researches carried out by Hendrix genetic company on Isa brown. Result from the carcass shows that the back weight (16.44%/DWT) and breast weight (16.05%/DWT) constitute major meat portions followed by wing weight (9.70%/DWT) and drums stick (9.10%/DWT), the heart (0.59%/DWT) constitute the least portion. Significant positive correlation was observed in feed and growth parameters for all the weekly values; feed efficiency and daily weight gain increased from week I to week 3 (5.29%, 12.40%, 14.41%) and (1.50%, 4.68%, 5.65%) respectively. Feed conversion ratio was most significant at week 1 (18.92%) then showed a comparative significant at the remaining weeks. Feed intake was obtained as 32g/d at 4 weeks according to the multiple researches carried out by Hendrix genetic company on Isa brown. Result from the carcass shows that the back weight (16.44%/DWT) and breast weight (16.05%/DWT) constitute major meat portions followed by wing weight (9.70%/DWT) and drums stick (9.10%/DWT), the heart (0.59%/DWT) constitute the least portion. Significant positive correlation