ANALYSIS OF EARLY GROWTH AND MORPHOSTRUCTURE OF FULANI ECOTYPE, BOVANS NERA CHICKEN AND THEIR CROSSBREDS

Abstract

One of the thrusts of Nigeria Agriculture Promotion Policy is the expansion of the chicken genetic pool. Crossing of indigenous chickens, such as Fulani Ecotype (FE), with exotic types which possess desirable potentials could achieve targeted genetic improvement. However, information on hybrid chickens from such crosses and their morphological evaluation have not been adequately documented. Therefore, early growth and morphostructure of the FE, Bovans Nera (BN) and their crossbreds were evaluated. Fifteen hens and three cocks each of matured FE and BN constituted the base breeder chicken population. The FE breeders were sourced from Fulani kraals around Kisi, Oyo State and Isundunrin, Osun State and BN from a reputable farm in Ibadan. One hundred and fifteen chicks comprising 25 Bovans x Fulani (BF), 33 Fulani x Bovans (FB), 39 pure Bovans x Bovans (BB) and 18 pure Fulani x Fulani (FF) were generated using artificial insemination technique. The Body Weight-BW (g) of the genotypes were monitored for eight weeks and Average Weekly Growth Rate-AWGR (g) was derived. Seventy-eight chicks (aged eight weeks) comprising 20 each: BB, FB and BF and 18 FF were randomly selected. Shank Length (SL), Shank Diameter (SD), Body Circumference (BC), Body Length (BL), Keel Length (KL), Wing Length (WL) and Neck Length (NL) were measured (cm). Morphostructural indices such as massiveness, compactness and long-leggedness were calculated. The effects of genotype, sex and genotype by sex interactions on growth and genetic effect on morphostructure were investigated. Data were analysed using analysis of variance and the discriminant function at α0.05. The BW of BF (328.2±8.6) was significantly higher than FB (302.2±8.6), BB (269.3±8.6) and FF (241.6±8.6). The male chicks (317±4.4) were heavier than females (253.5±7.4). The female BF (307.7±14.8) were significantly heavier than BB female (240.8±14.8) but similar to FB female (274±14.8). Females of other genotypes were heavier than FF female which weighed 190.6±14.9. Among males, the BW of BF (348.8±8.6) was significantly higher than 329.7±8.6 (FB), 297.7±8.6 (BB) and 292.6±9.3 (FF). Genotype by sex effect on growth was not significant. The highest growth rate of 79.2±4.4 (BF) was followed by 65.5±4.4 (FB), 57.9±4.4 (BB) and 52.2±3.2 (FF). The BF and FB had similar BC (23.5, 23.1), BL (18.0, 17.1), KL (8.6, 8.4), WL (17.4, 16.9) and NL (8.4 and 8.3, respectively) which were significantly higher than those of BB and FF. Massiveness was similar across the genotypes; while compactness of BF (97.5) was significantly higher than those of FF (91.2) and BB (89.3) but similar to FB (93.8). Long-leggedness of BF (32.0) and FB (31.6) were similar but significantly higher than BB (29.5) and FF (28.7). The most discriminant function accounting for 91% of total variation was dominated by BC (-0.01), BL (0.19), WL (1.00) and BW (0.71). Bovans X Fulani and Fulani X Bovans were superior to Bovans X Bovans and Fulani X Fulani in body weight, growth rate, and long leggedness but were similarly massive. Bovans x Fulani crossbred was most compact. Body circumference, body weight, wing and body lengths differentiated the genotypes.