Comparative evaluation of growth performance, morphometric and carcass traits of three strains of broiler chicken raised in the tropics

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the influence of strain on growth performance, morphometric and carcass characteristics of Arbor Acre, Ross 308 and Cobb 500 strains of broiler chicken. A total of 144 birds were used for this study, the birds were divided into three treatment groups according to strain and each group was randomly replicated four times with 12 birds per replicate and was raised for eight weeks. The data obtain were subjected to analysis of variance. The result showed that Cobb 500 had the most superior body weight, feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio (3520.00 ± 187.48 g, 4757.08 ± 38.56 g,3217.50 ± 161.10 g and 1.48 ± 0.06) respectively followed by Arbor Acre and Ross 308 in that order. However, in the finisher phase there was significant difference (p<0.05) observed in body height, Cobb 500 strain of broiler chicken was significantly (p<0.05) superior in body height than Arbor Acre and Ross 308. The result also indicated that strain had significant (p<0.05) influence on dressed weight, breast weight and liver weight with Cobb 500 being superior to the other two strains. Based on the results of this study, it was concluded that Cobb 500 was the most superior in body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, dressed weight, breast weight and liver weight at 8 weeks compared to Arbor Acre and Ross 308. Therefore, Cobb 500 strain of broiler chicken could be recommended to broiler farmers for increase productivity in the study area.