Genetic Effect of five Commercial Breed of Broilers raised in the humid tropics Of Enugu State Nigeria on growth, carcass and haematological parameters
Abstract
The study was designed to investigate whether strain of broiler has influence on growth performance, carcass characteristics and hematological parameters of chickens managed under controlled management. 250 finisher broiler chickens comprising of fifty each of the five breeds (Ross, Cobb, Abor Acre, Hubbard and Marshall) were used in a completely randomized design experiment which lasted for 28 days of 5 replicates of 10 birds each treatment. The birds were given the same finisher feed ad libitum, and they were also given unrestricted access to water. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to analyse the data, and the Duncan Multiple Range Test was used to separate the means at 0.05 significance levels. Results showed non-significant (P>0.05) differences in final weight, total weight gain and daily weight gain between the breeds. However, Ross strain consumed significantly (P<0.05) more feed (5496.25g) than Marshal (5123.45g), followed by Abor Acre (5031.30g), which in turn consumed more than Hubbard (5001.22g) then Cobb (3959.43g) consuming significantly (P<0.05) the least. This pattern was repeated in the daily feed intake; consequently, resulting to a better feed conversion ability of the Cobb strain which had significantly (P<0.05) better FCR (2.11%) than Hubbard (2.58%); Abor Acre (2.50%); Marshall (2.70%) and Ross (2.74%) being significantly (P<0.05) the poorest feed converter. For carcass characteristics, there were no significant (P>0.05) differences in the live weights, eviscerated weights, carcass weights and dressing percentage of the broiler breeds, however, in the prime cuts, there were significant (P<0.05) differences in the thigh; Ross (13%); Abor acre (12.33%); Cobb (11.99%) and Hubbard (10.67%) and Marshall (9.85%) being the least. This pattern repeated in breast muscle. The hematological parameters of the different breeds were non-significantly (P>0.05) different. However, PCV, RBC, Hb, Eosinophil and Basophil were within the range of normal avian blood parameters but WBC and lymphocyte were above while Neutrophil value was below the normal avian range. The finding indicates no genetic effect of breed of broiler on growth and carcass weight as well as on haematological parameters, however, the increase in WBC and lymphocyte counts may confer higher degree of disease resistance of the birds to the local environment.
