Repeatability estimates of growth traits in arbor acre broiler chickens fed graded level of probiotics enhanced <i>Moringa oleifera</i> seed meal diets

Abstract

Two hundred (200) Arbor Acre broiler chickens fed four different diets containing 0 (control), 4, 6, and 8% (unconventional)   probiotics enhanced Moringa Oleifera seed meal (PEMOSM) were used to estimate repeatability (R) of growth traits during the starter (0-4 weeks) and finisher phases (5-7weeks). The traits considered were body weight, body length, thigh length, drumstick length, shank length, body girth, wing length and keel length. The results showed low to moderate and high R  estimates based on the diet fed to chickens and feeding phase (starter and finisher). Moderate to high R (0.47 to 0.99) estimates were obtained for most of the growth traits examined during the starter and finisher phases when the chickens were fed diets containing 0 and 4% PEMOSM, except shank length, thigh length, wing length, body girth and keel length that had low R estimates (0.32 to 0.43)  during those period. When the chickens were fed higher levels of PEMOSM, low R estimates (0.30 to 0.47) were obtained for most of the traits except body weight which had 0.62 and 0.52 at 6 and 8% PEMOSM inclusion level during finishers' stage, and keel length with 0.55 at 6% PEMOSM during the starter phase. This findings indicate that nutrition play a major role as an   environmental factor that have a significant effect on genetic parameters of chicken and should be taken into consideration when broiler chickens are been considered for genetic improvement.

Key words. Broiler chickens; Growth traits; Repeatability estimates; Nutrition.