Comparative Growth Parameters and Feed: Gain Ratio of Pureand Inbred Nigerian Indigenous Chickens

Abstract

The objectives of the study were to evaluate and compare the growth performance (body weight, BWT, and body weight gain, BWG), feed intake (FI) and feed:gain (F:G) of G 1 and G 2 generations of inbred Nigerian indigenous chickens (NIC). A total of 500 chicks (250/generation) were used for the study. The G 1 birds were produced from sire families established from a base population of random breeding NIC whereas the G 2 birds were progenies of half and full sib matings involving the G 1 population. Result showed significant (P˂ 0.05) sire and line effects for BWT in G 1 and G 2 generations, respectively. Feed intake did not vary much between sire groups (G 1 generation) but varied without a definite trend between sire lines in G 2 generation. Differences between sire group and their progenies were non-significant in most of the parameters except for