Effects of Genotype and Age on Growth Performance and Carcass Traits of Chickens in Southern Ethiopia
Effects of Genotype and Age on Growth Performance and Carcass Traits of Chickens in Southern Ethiopia
Shewangizaw Wolde1,2*, Tadele Mirkena1,3, Aberra Melesse1, Tadelle Dessie4, Solomon Abegaz5
ABSTRACT
A study was conducted to evaluate genotype effect on growth performance of male chickens and carcass traits of old hens, and genotype and age effects on carcass traits of male chickens. A total of 150 Normal Feathered local chickens (LL), 150 Sasso-RIR (SRSR) and 150 their F1 crossbred (LSR) chickens were hatched and reared on station until 18-weeks of age. Then, 32 males of each genotype were evaluated for growth performance for a period of 8-weeks. Besides, 40 hens of each genotype were reared for a period of 34-weeks. While, carcass traits were evaluated for male chickens at 18- and 26- weeks of age and for hens at 52- weeks of age. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance. SRSR male chicken was the highest (p<0.05) and LL male chicken was the lowest (p<0.05) in final body weight and feed intake. Feed conversion ratio was best (p<0.05) for LL male chickens. Survival rate of male chicken was not affected (p> 0.05) by genotype. Weights of slaughter, drumstick, thigh, breast, skin, gizzard, neck and total edible carcass were highest (P< 0.05) for SRSR and lowest (P< 0.05) for LL chickens in both sexes. The weights of drumstick, thigh, breast, back, heart, and kidney were increased with age. The dressing percent was not affected by genotype for male chickens, but it was higher for LL, lower for SRSR, and in-between for LSR hens. Moreover, it was not affected by age except for LSR chicken. In conclusion, the values of body and carcass weights were significantly improved by cross-breeding of Sasso-RIR chicken with Normal Feathered local chicken. The weights of most carcasses were increased with age but its influence on the weights of slaughter, thigh, heart, neck and total edible carcass depends on genotype of chicken.
Keywords | Carcass traits, Growth performance, Male chicken, Normal Feathered local chicken, Old hen.
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