Carcass traits variation in Nigerian local and improved chickens as influenced by breed and sex

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess carcass traits variation in Nigerian local and improved chickens as influenced by breed and sex. Forty local and improved chickens (5 males and 5 females each of Naked neck, Normal feathered, Frizzle feathered and Noiler) were randomly selected at 13 weeks old for this study. Data generated from the carcass parameters were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using SAS 9.2 version 2008. The results showed that breed and sex were significantly different (p<0.05) in all the carcass parameters measured except in some organ weights. Breed significantly affected (p<0.05) all carcass parameters except for wing weight, head weight and neck weight that were not significantly affected (p>0.05). The highest live weight was observed in Noiler (1451.10 ± 88.00 g). Males had higher least squares means on all the carcass parameter; live weight (1379.05 ± 94.20 g), dress weight (1245.05 ± 90.83 g), eviscerated weight (1027 ± 76.57 g), breast weight (206.70 ± 17.21 g), proventriculus weight (6.10 ± 0.28 g), gizzard weight (34.45 ± 2.17 g) and liver weight (22.05 ± 1.03 g). It therefore be concluded in this study by stating that breed  significantly affected (p<0.05) all carcass parameters except for wing weight, head weight and neck weight that were not significantly affected  (p>0.05) and that males had higher least squares means in all the carcass parameters. This information can be harnessed for improvement of the Nigeria local chicken breeds.

Keywords: Carcass traits, Nigeria local chicken breeds, Noiler, Naked neck, Frizzle feathered, Normal feathered