Growth Pattern Reproductive Performance and Seasonal Sensitivity of Bovan Nera and Isa Brown ParentStock Chickens in Ibadan Nigeria

Growth Pattern, Reproductive Performance and Seasonal Sensitivity of Bovan Nera and Isa Brown Parent-Stock Chickens

Project / Seminar Material
Reference ID: PS-6144-TM

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This research material titled “Growth Pattern, Reproductive Performance and Seasonal Sensitivity of Bovan Nera and Isa Brown Parent-Stock Chickens” is dedicated to God for his enabling grace, and to all computer enthusiasts who contributed to make life a pleasant experience during my research documentation.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I extend my sincere gratitude to all those who contributed to the completion of this project. Special thanks to my Supervisor (Name of your Supervisor), the Head of Department (Name of your HOD), the Lecturers in the department of Agricultural Engineering (AE), Book Authors and Profound Scholars of existing or related project material on “Growth Pattern, Reproductive Performance and Seasonal Sensitivity of Bovan Nera and Isa Brown Parent-Stock Chickens” for their invaluable guidance, support, and expertise throughout the journey.

I am also grateful to your study area (mention any funding organizations, if applicable) for their financial assistance. This research would not have been possible without the encouragement and assistance of some stakeholders (mention any mentors, teachers, or colleagues). Additionally, I would like to acknowledge the understanding and patience of my family and friends during this endeavor. Your unwavering support has been a constant source of motivation. Thank you all for being part of this meaningful endeavor.

ABSTRACT

Parent stocks (PS) of exotic hybrids have contributed immensely to commercial poultry production in Nigeria. Their continued optimal utilization depends on their performance test. Information on performance indices of PS layer breeds in South-West Nigeria is however limited. The growth, reproductive performance and seasonal sensitivity of Bovan Nera (BN) and Isa Brown (IB) hybrids were evaluated.

Secondary data on 24 batches of PS of each of BN and IB kept over a period of 10 years (1999- 2008) in Ajanla Farms, Ibadan were used. Average batch population was 3896 pullets and 600 cockerels at point-of-lay. Records on Body Weight (BW), Age, Hen-Day-Production (HDP), Egg Weight (EWt), Egg fertility (EF), Egg Hatchability (EH), Pullet Day-Old Chicks produced (PDOC) and Hatching Rejects (HR) in four seasons: Early-Wet (EW, April-July); Late-Wet
(LW, August-October); Early-Dry (ED, November-January) and Late-Dry (LD, February- March) were obtained. Data were standardized and analysed for growth, Age-at-first-egg (AFE), HDP characteristics, reproduction, seasonal sensitivity, genotype-season interaction using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, correlation and regression (p=0.05).

There was no significant difference in BW (g) and growth rate (g/day) between hybrids: 1724.8±562.8 and 1549.8±543.3; 1.4±2.3 and 1.1±1.6 for BN and IB hens, respectively. Effect of seasons on AFE was not significant in both hybrids, but ED and LD seasons delayed AFE. The HDP values (%) recorded for BN (63.2) and IB (72.9) in ED were significantly higher than in other seasons. There were significant differences in EF (80.8 and 88.7%), EH (69.1 and 73.6%), PDOC (32.6 and 36.1%) and EWt (56.2 and 59.9 g) for BN and IB respectively in EW
season. EF (86.2 and 89.5%) and EH (73.1 and 73.9%) in LW were highest within hybrids respectively. Phenotypic correlation (r) between Age and Hen Weight, Age and EWt, Hen Weight and EWt, EF and EH, EF and PDOC, and EH and PDOC were 0.78, 0.74, 0.68, 0.73, 0.72 and 0.98 in BN; and 0.77, 0.52, 0.53, 0.69, 0.71, and 0.97 in IB respectively.

The positive and significant correlation between HR and EWt (r = 0.14 and 0.13), for BN and IB respectively, indicated increase in HR as EWt increased. The environmental performance in body weight of both hybrids was significantly depressed before 10 weeks in cocks and throughout the life cycle of hens, except at 10 to 16 weeks in the BN hen. Performance depression was also observed in HDP (-10.2%), EF (-6.9%) and EH (-14.4%) in IB, and EWt (-2.9 and -3.2%) in both genotypes respectively over their life-time period. Predictions of BW by

Growth Pattern, Reproductive Performance and Seasonal Sensitivity of Bovan Nera and Isa Brown Parent-Stock Chickens in Ibadan Nigeria

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Introduction

… As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of technical terms.

…

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literature Review

2.1 Introduction

This chapter focuses on the review of related literature. A literature review includes the current knowledge as well as theoretical and methodological contributions to a particular topic. It documents the state of the art with respect to the topic you are writing. It surveys the literature in the topic selected. In this research work the literature review includes the …

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