ABSTRACT

 A total of 43 day-old F1 chicks generated by crossbreeding normal feathered, naked neck and Frizzled feathered males with exotic layers strain were used in the study. Initial body weights were statistically similar for the 3 genotypes namely normal feather, naked neck and frizzled feather. The weights were t •5± 0.98, 3538 l .02 and 35.28 ± 0.59 respectively. The frizzled feathered individual had numerically higher body weight at the 6th week (302.10 -s17.54). There was no significant body weight, weight gain differences at the 6th week among the. 3 genotypes. The body weights at 6th week were 288.45±14.90, 287.88 ~ 5.91, 302.10± 17.54 and the weight gain were 61.65 ± 5.13, 62.06 6.29, and 67.55- 7.04 respectively.Frizzled feather and naked neck individuals showed significantly higher feed intake at the 6th week than their normal feathered counterparts. The values were293.60R+ 5.08, 293.25R± 3.75, 277.55h + 4.77rcspcctive1y for feed intake. Feed conversion ratios were numerically deferent at the 6th week for the three genotypes (NF 4.03 ± 0.33, 'NN 4.82 ± 0.42, and FF 4.43 ± 0.39. The linear body measurements (L,E3M8): body length, wing length, keel length, and shank length where significantly higher in the naked neck individuals than the normal feathered and frizzled feathered. Correlation between body length and keel length for the frizzled feathered chicken also appeared high and positive (r=0.68).