ABSTRACT

The study was conducted to determine the performance and early lay characteristics of local and crossbred chicken genotypes bearing plumage modifying genes. A total of 170 F₁ progenies were generated from the crosses and were used to determine growth and short term egg production characteristics of the crossbred chickens. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) while means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. Correlation analysis of body weight and egg production characteristics was done using Pearson product moment. All data generated were analyzed using Sas (2004) package. Result obtained showed that there was no significant (p>0.05) difference in day old weight of the local chicken genotypes. However, their crossbred counterparts namely normal feather, naked neck and frizzle chickens were significantly (p<0.05) heavier than the pure local genotypes. It was observed that at the 30^th week of life the main crossbreds weighed significantly (p<0.05) higher than the reciprocal crossbreds as well as the pure locals. This showed evidence of maternal influence in which the individuals produced by the local chicken hens weighed less and maintained low body weight due to dam of origin influence. Among the main crossbreds the Na x E was significantly highest in body weight followed by na x E (normal feather x Exotic). The short term egg production parameters among the genotypes showed that the main crossbred individuals had significantly heavier weight at first egg (WAFE) as well as lower age at first egg (AFE). The Na x E which had the highest WAFE also had higher egg number and egg weight than other genotypes. Phenotypic correlation between body weight and age at first egg were higher and positive in the main crossbreds at 0.963 0.954 and 0.963 for F x E, Na x E and E x na  and were followed by the pure local genotypes. The total egg weight also showed significant (p<0.01) and positive correlation with egg number in the main crossbred and reciprocals individuals which seem to show hen of origin effect in their manifestaion. There was a positively and significant (p<0.05) correlation between hen day egg production (HDEP), hen housed egg production (HHEP), and age at first egg (AFE) in the reciprocal cross E x Na, while the other genotypes showed poorer correlation which might be due to mortality . Result obtained from regression of body weight at first egg (WAFE) on age of birds at first egg (AFE) showed that the pureline individuals had high and significant R² values ranging from 75-100% indicating that  early prediction of age at first egg ( AFE)  can be achieved in hens when records are taken from the early lay production parameters .The findings of this study showed that there were high performance in body weight and egg production characteristics among the main  crossbred and reciprocal chicken genotypes bearing the plumage modifying genes.  These improved chicken genotypes should be conserved and incorperated into the Nigerian poultry industry.