UnizikSpace Collection: Scholarly Works

Repeatability estimates of external and internal egg quality traits in Japanese quail

2024-03-21T10:13:20Z

Title: Repeatability estimates of external and internal egg quality traits in Japanese quail Authors: Udoh, U. H; Ukana, U. M; Isaac, U. C. Abstract: Twenty-five (25) freshly laid Japanese quail (Cortunix japonica) eggs, randomly selected weekly for 7 weeks from the base population of 249 birds were used to estimate the repeatability of external and internal egg quality traits. External egg quality traits were Egg Weight (EWT), Egg Length (EL), Egg Width (EW), Shell Weight (SWT) and Shell Thickness (ST). Internal egg traits were Yolk Height (YH), Yolk Diameter (YD), Albumen Height (AH), Albumen Diameter (AD), Yolk Weight (YWT) and Albumen Weight (AWT). Variance components and Repeatability estimates were obtained using the one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with the Computer aided Software, Statistical Analysis System (SAS, version 8). High repeatability estimate (0.76) was observed for egg weight. Only egg weight would require a maximum of 7 records to characterize the inherent producing ability of each hen. Selection for improvement using egg weight will result in good performance and significant genetic gain. More records would be needed to achieve this for other external and internal egg quality traits. From this study Egg weight should therefore be adopted as the key determinant for repeatability estimations in Japanese quail. Description: Scholarly work

BODY WEIGHT AS A DISCRIMINANT FACTOR AMONG THREE BREEDS OF THE NIGERIAN LOCAL CHICKEN

2024-03-21T10:11:55Z

Title: BODY WEIGHT AS A DISCRIMINANT FACTOR AMONG THREE BREEDS OF THE NIGERIAN LOCAL CHICKEN Authors: Kadurumba, O.E.; Ibe, S.N.; Okoro, V.M.O.; Odoemelam, V.U.; Ogbuewu, I.P.; Nwaogwugwu, U.C. Abstract: The body weights (BWT) of three different breeds of the Nigerian local chicken were monitored in order to ascertain their validity as markers and genotype discriminants. 139 day old local chickens comprising of 45, 42 and 52 naked neck, frizzle and normal genotypes respectively generated from 36 adult local chickens of three different genotypes, were used in a 24 – weeks experiment. Results showed that the normal genotypes had significantly (p<0.05) highest mean values and were superior to the frizzle and naked neck genotypes. Breed centroid obtained were opposing (-.386, .372 and .564) BWT, which indicate that the genotypes were different and were rightly classified as different varieties/breeds. The classification results indicated that 49.9% and 60.8% based on BWT of original cases for naked neck frizzle and normal, respectively were correctly classified. The results of this study indicate that the naked neck, frizzle and normal genotypes are distinctly different from each other and could be classified as different varieties using body weight as a discriminating factor.. Description: Scholarly work

Repeatability estimates of external and internal egg quality traits in Japanese quail

2024-03-21T10:07:48Z

Title: Repeatability estimates of external and internal egg quality traits in Japanese quail Authors: Udoh, U. H..; Ukana, U. M.; Isaac, U. C Abstract: Twenty-five (25) freshly laid Japanese quail (Cortunix japonica) eggs, randomly selected weekly for 7 weeks from the base population of 249 birds were used to estimate the repeatability of external and internal egg quality traits. External egg quality traits were Egg Weight (EWT), Egg Length (EL), Egg Width (EW), Shell Weight (SWT) and Shell Thickness (ST). Internal egg traits were Yolk Height (YH), Yolk Diameter (YD), Albumen Height (AH), Albumen Diameter (AD), Yolk Weight (YWT) and Albumen Weight (AWT). Variance components and Repeatability estimates were obtained using the one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with the Computer aided Software, Statistical Analysis System (SAS, version 8). High repeatability estimate (0.76) was observed for egg weight. Only egg weight would require a maximum of 7 records to characterize the inherent producing ability of each hen. Selection for improvement using egg weight will result in good performance and significant genetic gain. More records would be needed to achieve this for other external and internal egg quality traits. From this study Egg weight should therefore be adopted as the key determinant for repeatability estimations in Japanese quail. Key words: Japanese quail, Egg traits, Internal, External, Repeatability Description: Scholarly work

Growth performance and carcass characteristics of F1 progenies of local x exotic chicken crosses

2024-03-21T10:06:22Z

Title: Growth performance and carcass characteristics of F1 progenies of local x exotic chicken crosses Authors: Obike, O.M.; Chijioke, E. I; Akinsola, K.; Ezimoha, O. C.; Isaac, U. C.; Oke, U. K. Abstract: Growth performance and carcass characteristics of F1 progenies of local hen (Black and Brown normal feathered) and exotic male (Ross 308 and Arbor Acre) strains were evaluated. Base population had 60 dams, 30 each of Brown and Black phenotype and 24 exotic sires, 12 each of Arbor Acre and Ross 308. The experiment had 4 genetic groups – Ross 308 sire x Brown dam (A1R1), Ross 308 x Black dam (A1R2), Arbor Acre sire x Brown dam (A2R1) and Arbor Acre sire x Black dam (A2R2). Growth performance traits measured were final body weight, daily feed intake, average daily weight gain (ADWG), FCR and mortality. Body weight (BW) and linear body traits (LBM) – thigh length (TL), shank length (SL), breast width (BWDT), body length (BL), wing length (WL), keel length (KL), drumstick (DS) were measured as well as carcass and organ traits. Results of growth performance traits showed significantly (P<0.05) higher final BW, ADWG and better FCR in A1R1 progenies. Significant (P<0.05) differences were observed among the four strains for BWDT, DS, BW. KL. SL and WL. It was also observed that F1 progenies of A1R1 recorded significantly (P<0.05) longer TL, SL, KL, WL, and BL and weighed heavier. Carcass and organ traits showed significant (P<0.05) differences among the genotypes. F1 progenies of A1R1 were significantly (P<0.05) different from the other genotypes. It was concluded that genetic variation exists among the progenies for the traits and that Ross 308 x Brown local dams is best suited for improving the local stock in the study area. Description: Scholarly work