Growth Potential of four Local Chicken (Gallus domesticus) Genotypes in the Sagnarigu Municipality of Ghana.

Abstract

The study was carried out to assess the potential of four Ghanaian indigenous chicken genotypes. One hundred and twelve (112) made up of 45 males and 67 females. These were comprised of 28 each of naked neck, normal feathered, fizzle and silky were reared for 23 weeks. The birds were separated into four genotypes and replicated four times each, using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Data were taken on production and heat-tolerant traits and breeding value. Data were subjected to analysis of variance using Genstat. The results obtained showed that the naked neck recorded the highest body weight and body weight gain throughout the study period. The Frizzle had the highest average daily FI value (55.64g/d), whereas Silky had the lowest (44.77g/d). The feed conversion ratio of the naked neck was better than its counterparts. The body temperature was higher among the normal feathered. Higher pulse rates were also found in the Normal Feathered genotype. Respiratory rate and pulse rate showed a similar pattern. Lower heat stress index was observed among the silky and the frizzle. The brooding and post-brooding mortality each was lower (thus less than 10%) for each genotype. Breeding value of the birds also showed significant differences. It is recommended that farmers should use the naked neck genotype for production in order to achieve higher productivity in body weight, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio; the frizzle and the silky could be reared in heat prone zones since they have good characteristics for heat tolerance.