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Main Article Content
Phenotypic Correlations Among Fertility and Hatchability Traits of Local, Exotic, and Crossed (Elite Breed) Turkeys in the Humid Tropical Environment
Abstract
The study was carried out to investigate the phenotypic correlations among fertility and hatchability traits of local, exotic, and crossed (Elite breed) turkeys in Umudike. The genotypes were Exotic x local (ExLo), Exotic x Exotic (ExEx), and Local x local (LoLo) genotypes for egg production. The experiment involved 18 mature Turkeys comprising 11 local turkeys (1 Tom and 10 Hens) and 7 Exotic turkeys (2 Toms and 5 Hens). Data were collected on: Fertility (%), Hatchability of fertile eggs (HFE%), Hatchability of eggs set (HES%), Peeped (%), Dead in germ (DG%) and Dead shell (DS%), Normal and abnormal poults (%). The results showed that ExLo had a significant (p<0.01) positive correlation was observed between fertility and hatchability of fertile eggs (0.982), fertility and hatchability of eggs set (0.863), while a significant (p<0.05) positive correlation existed between fertility and normal poults (0.811). Also, significant (p<0.01; p<0.05) positive correlation was observed between hatchability of fertile eggs and HES (0.904), HFE and DS (0.813), while a significant (p<0.05) positive correlation exists between fertility and normal poults (0.811). Positive and significant (p<0.05) correlation was observed between fertility and hatchability of fertile eggs (0.893), fertility and hatchability of eggs set (0.821), fertility and dead in germ (0.833) in ExEx, while positive and significant (p<0.01) correlation was recorded between fertility and dead in shell (0.804) as well as between fertility and normal poults (0.921). There was positive and significant (p<0.01) correlation between fertility and hatchability of fertile eggs (0.922), fertility and hatchability of eggs set (0.901), fertility and dead in shell (0.912), as well as between fertility and dead in germ (0.921), fertility and normal poults (0.880) in LoLo genotype. These findings could serve as a baseline for the improvement of the desirable breeds. The elite (cross-bred) genotype is recommended for breeders to achieve improved fertility, hatchability, and reproductive performance of the turkey in the tropics.
