Strain variations in some reproductive and production traits of purebred normal feather and naked neck FUNAAB Alpha chicken

This study was conducted to investigate reproductive and production traits in purebred normal feather and naked neck strains of FUNAAB alpha chicken (FAC) breed. Forty-five weeks old birds comprising 70 hens and 13 cocks per strain selected from random-bred populations of each strain were purebred and used to study strain variations in fertility and embryonic mortality. Their progenies were compared for juvenile growth performance (day- old to 12 weeks of age), as well as short term egg production traits (from first lay to 280 days of age). Analysis of data using multivariate analysis with strain and hatch set as fixed factors revealed that though fertility was 6.75% higher in the naked neck strain, high incidence of embryonic mortality (41.79%) especially during the first and last 7 days of incubation resulted in poor hatchability (P<0.05). Though the normal feather chicks weighed 8.92% heavier than the naked neck at day-old, those from the naked neck had generally better feed conversion ration which translated to 8.55% heavier weight for them at 12 weeks of age (P<0.05). Generally, the naked neck strain was also superior (P<0.05) to the normal feather strain wing length, chest girth and leg length. Results on laying traits revealed that the normal feather hens performed better than the naked neck hens. They became sexually matured 1.87 weeks earlier than the naked neck hens, had a better feed conversion ratio of2.25 and 3.70% higher rate of egg production at 280 days of age. Egg production was at its peak at 25-28 weeks of age and declined from 37- 40 weeks of age in both strains. Our observation suggests that though possession of naked neck gene appeared to increase embryonic mortality, both strains can be successfully be incorporated in breeding plans for further genetic improvement and development of egg lines (using the normal feather strain) and meat lines (using the naked neck). Cette étude a été menée pour étudier les traits reproducteurs et de production de la race normale de race pure et du cou nu de la race de poulet alpha FUNAAB (le 'FAC'). Les oiseaux de quarante-cinq semaines comprenant 70 poules et 13 coqs sélectionnés parmi les populations élevées au hasard de chaque souche étaient de race pure et utilisés pour étudier les variations de la fertilité et de la mortalité embryonnaire. Leurs descendances ont été comparées pour la performance de croissance juvénile (de jour à 12 semaines d'âge), aussi bien que les traits à court terme de production d'oeuf (du premier laïg à 280 jours d'âge). L'analyse des données utilisant l'analyse multivariée avec la souche et l'ensemble d'écoutille comme facteurs fixes a indiqué que bien que la fertilité ait été 6.75% plus élevée dans lasouche nue de cou, l'incidence élevée de mortalité embryonnaire (41.79%) particulièrement au cours des 7 premiers et derniers jours d'incubation a entraîné une mauvaise éclosion (P<0,05). Bien que les poussins à plumes normales pesaient 8,92 % plus lourd que le cou nu à l'âge d'un jour, ceux du cou nu avaient généralement une meilleure ration de conversion des aliments, ce qui se traduit par un poids 8,55 % plus lourd pour eux à l'âge de 12 semaines (P<0,05). En général, la tension nue de cou était également supérieure (P<0.05) à la longueur normale d'aile de contrainte de plume, à la circonférence de coffre et à la longueur de jambe. Les résultats sur les traits de ponte ont révélé que les poules à plumes normales ont obtenu de meilleurs résultats que les poules nues au cou. Ils sont devenus sexuellement mûris 1,87 semaines plus tôt que les poules cou nu, avait un meilleur ratio de conversion des aliments pour animaux de 2,25 et 3,70% plus élevé taux de production d'œufs à 280 jours d'âge. La production d'œufs était à son apogée à l'âge de 25-28 semaines et a diminué de 37- 40 semaines d'âge dans les deux souches. Notre observation suggère que bien que la possession du gène nu de cou semble augmenter la mortalité embryonnaire, les deux souches peuvent être avec succès incorporées dans les plans de reproduction pour davantage d'amélioration génétique et de développement des lignes d'oeuf (utilisant la souche normale de plume) et des lignes de viande (utilisant le cou nu).

EGG QUALITY OF THE NIGERIAN LOCAL CHICKEN AS INFLUENCED BY SOME MAJOR GENES

An investigations was carried out to determine the effect of the major genes of frizzling and naked neck on the external and internal egg quality traits of the Nigerian local chicken. Egg weight significantly (P < 0.01) favoured the frizzled local chicken and the naked-necked local chicken over the fully feathered (normal ) local chicken. The frizzling gene, F, caused an increase of 8.13% in weight while the naked neck gene Na, increased egg weight by 5.85%. The Na gene caused the production of better egg shape index (0.73) when compared to F and nana, ff genotypes. Eggs of frizzed and naked-neck locals also had significantly (P < 0.05) better Haugh unit, percent shell, percent albumen and percent yolk than the normal feathered counterpart. It is therefore reasonable to incorporate the major genes frizzling and naked-neck in producing a locally-adapter commercial egg strain

Influence of different tropical stress conditions on biochemical parameters invarious broiler strains

The present experiment was conducted to study the effect of different tropical stress conditions on biochemical traits in various broiler strains during 3 to 4 weeks of age. Introgressing some important major genes likes Naked neck (Na) and Frizzle (F) into broiler germplasm may substantially improve the heat tolerance. Hence, the experiment was designed to evaluate three indigenously developed broilers <italic>viz</italic>. CARIBRO-Tropicana (Naked neck and Frizzle gene bearing), CARIBRO-Mritunjai (Naked neck gene bearing) and CARIBRO-Vishal (Normal plumaged) under different THI (i.e. 72, 85 and 91) for 4 hours daily for 7 days. Total 324 broiler chicks (i.e. 36 chicks in each group) of 3 weeks of age were used in this study. The changes in blood biochemical parameters (i.e. Na, K, Glucose and ACTH) were examined in these experiments at 0^th, 3^rd and ₇th into exposure trials. The glucose, ACTH were observed lowest in frizzle and highest in normal plumaged birds under different THI. In experiment Na and K were observed higher in Frizzle and lowest in normal plumaged birds under different THI. The CARIBRO-Vishal showed highest stress as compared to other group. Higher the THI more severe was the effect on the traits. During the 7 day of exposure trial, birds of all the genetic group exhibited the phenomenon of acclimatization as reveled by the averages of various traits at different days into the exposure.