GENETIC CHANGE IN THE NIGERIAN HEAVY LOCAL CHICKEN ECOTYPE THROUGH SELECTION FOR BODY WEIGHT AND EGG PRODUCTION TRAITS

📄 Project Abstract

The study was carried out to determine the genetic change in the Nigerian heavy local chicken ecotype (NHLCE) through selection for body weight and egg production traits. Progenies (G0 generation) generated from breeding parents randomly selected from the parent stock of the NHLCE formed the materials for the research. On hatching, the chicks were grouped according to sire families using colour markers. The chicks were brooded and reared according to standard management practices. They were fed a starter mash containing 18% crude protein and 2800 Kcal/kgME from 0 - 8 weeks and a growers mash containing 15% crude protein and 2670 Kcal/ kgME from 8 weeks to 20 weeks. At 20 weeks, all pullets were moved into individual laying cages for short-term (16 weeks) egg production. From then the birds were fed layers mash containing 16.5% crude protein and 2600Kcal/kgME. Data were collected on body weight, egg weight and egg number. A control population was maintained for each generation and was u...