Response to Divergent Selection for 35-Day Bodyweight and Realized Heritabilities over Two Generations in Japanese Quails

Selection for high (H) and low (L) body weight (BW) at 35 days of age in Japanese quail was practiced for 2 generations. The base population was a random bred population obtained from the National Veterinary Research Institute in Jos, Nigeria. Realized heritability for BW at 35 day of age for H and L males in the 2nd generation was 0.43 and 0.35 respectively, while they were 0.50 and 0.55 (respectively) for the H and L females. Body weight of the 2nd generation H and L females were 118.64 and 45.44g respectively, and that of control is 82.96g. Similar weights for the males were 120.2, 47.43 and 78.64g for the H, L and C line respectively in the 2nd generation. The H and L lines diverged significantly (P< 0.05) in body weight at 35- days of age through the two generations of selection, while the control line was intermediate to the selected lines for bodyweight. The results indicate that the base population is amenable to improvement through selection.Key words: body weight, high line, low line, control line, Japanese quails

Relationship between egg weight, hatch weight and subsequent body weight in Fulani ecotype chicken

Three hundred (300) Fulani Ecotype (FE) chicken eggs collected from free ranged Fulani Ecotype chicken were used to study the effect of egg weight on hatch weight and subsequent body weight. Eggs were grouped into twoaccording to their weight (small and medium) and incubated. Body weight of the chicks was measured from the day of hatch to 12 weeks of age on weekly basis. Mean of the body weight gain from day old to 12 weeks of age in FE chicks obtained from small and medium egg size in this study were 306.73g and 311.36g, respectively. There was no significant correlations between egg weight, hatch weight and subsequent body weight in FE chicks obtained from small egg size, while a significantly (P<0.01) high and positively correlated relationship existed between hatch weightand egg weight of chicks obtained from medium egg size. Positive and significant inter-correlation (0.51 to 0.98) existed between body weight of FE chicks obtained from small and medium egg size. Linear regression equations showed a significant coefficient of determination for hatch weight, body weight at 2, 4, and 6 weeks using both small and medium egg weight values. The results of this findings indicated that both small and medium Fulani Ecotype eggs are settable. However, medium eggs produce larger chicks than the small eggs

External characterization of four indegenous helmeted guine fowl varieties (Numida meleagris galeata Pallas 1882) in Nigeria

The physical charactersstics of 338 indigenous helmeted guinea fowls at 28 and 52 weeks of age were  described. Four main colour types or varieties recognised were Ash (Lavender), Black, Pearl (Grey) and pure White. Body weights averaged 1.15 ± 0.03kg and l.34 ± 0.05kg at 28 and 52 weeks of age  respectively for the guinea cocks and 1.07 re 0.04kg and 1.29 re 0.06kg at 28 and 52 weeks respectively for the guinea hens. The overall mean body weight for the entire population was 1.1 ± 0.4kg at 28 weeks of age and 1.31 ±0.07kg at 52 weeks of age. Body weights were significantly (P < .05) bigger at end of laying (52 weeks) than at point of Jay. The males at each age and in each variety also had larger body weights than the females. The guinea cocks had slightly longer body ( 43.1 vs 42.6cm), keel (14.8 vs 14.4cm), wing-(20.3 vs 20.2cm), sha11k (8.4 vs 7.9cm), drum stick (13.1 vs 12.4cm), thigh (9.9 vs 9.6crn), toes and claws, wattle (3.0 vs 2.6cm), jhelmet (3.7 vs 3.2cm), beak (2.7 vs 2.Scm) and larger body girth (30.3 vs 29.4cm) than the guinea hens. About. 21.14 and 24.16% of the neck of the males and females respectively were devoid of feathers. Colour of the naked portion of the neck was bluish-black and bear long hair like filoplumes on the dorsal region. The colour of the beak was light brown in all the birds. All the Black and White birds had light brown shanks while 28.9 and 37 .5% of the Ash and Pearl birds,  respectively had partly brown and partly grey shank. 62.5 and 28.6% of the Pearl and Ash birds respectively, had brown shanks while 42.6% of the Ash birds ha dgrey shank. The colour of the wattle was red in all the birds. The great variation in the various parameters measured and weighed suggests that they can probably be used in selection and hence genetic improvement of the local helmeted guinea fowl.Keywords: Guinea fowls, body weight, plumage, conformation

Short communication: Changes in anatomical points of guinea hens in lay

No Abstrac

The influence of juvenile body weight and two feeding regimes during the growing phase on growth performance and early lay characteristics of pullets

No Abstract

Prediction of Body Weight of Broilers at Different Ages from Some Linear Body Measurements

The prediction of live body weight from six body measurements was studied using the Cobb broiler strain. A total of two hundred and sixty-four chicks comprising of one hundred and thirty- four at males and females were used. Mean body weights day-old, 3,6,9 and 12 weeks of age were 36.7g, 276.16g, 856.72, 1,334.1g and 1,762.5g respectively for the sexes combined. Males were generally more uniform in body weight and the body measurements than the females as indicated by the lower coefficient of variability (2.53% vs 3.38% for body weight at 3 werks of age). The males were significantly (P < 0.05) heavier than the females at 9 and 12 weeks or age. Cummulative weight gain was more rapid between 3 and 6 weeks of age and decreased with age up to the 12th week.The correlations, linear and stepwise regression equations reveal linear relationships between body weight and all body measurements (Body length, Body girth, Keel length, Shank length, Drumstick length and Shank thickness). Live body weight of bird was best predicted singly using keel length at 3 and 9 weeks of age and body girth and the 12th week. However, with a combination of two to four of the body measurements, the prediction efficiency was enhanced.Keywords: Broiler, Live Body Weight, Prediction, Body Measurement

Litter growth and waning characteristics in two generations of straightbred and cross bred rabbits

No Abstract.Nigerian Journal of Genetics Vol. 18 2003: pp. 68-7

Correlation between some weaning traits in domestic rabbit in Nigeria

No Abstract.Nigerian Journal of Genetics Vol. 18 2003: pp. 63-6

Performance of guinea fowl breeders fed varying levels of Cyperus bulb

Feeding between 0.00 and 54.55 percent of Cyperus bulb in guinea fowl diets resulted in significantly (P<0.05) different body weight gain, feed intake, egg production and egg weight. Mean weekly body weight gain was significantly (P<0.05) higher in birds fed rations containing between 0 and 41 % of Cyperus bulb than those on ration containing 54.55% of Cyperus bulb. Males on rations containing between 0 and 41 % of Cyperus bulb had significantly (P<0.05) higher weight gains than their female counterparts fed the same rations. Feed intake decreased significantly (P<0.05) with increased inclusion of Cyperus bulb. Weekly feed intake was however significantly (P<0.05) lower in male birds on rations 1 and 2 than those on 3 and 4. The percentage of cocks in semen production ranged from 69.3 to 73.2% and was not significantly affected by ration. Egg weight and egg production became significantly (P<0 .05) lowered as maize was replaced with Cyperus bulb though production on rations 1 and 2 were statistically similar. The differences in nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention are probably responsible for the varying performances. The results indicate that except for semen production and feed intake in the male, the other parameters were adversely affected by Cyperus bulb inclusion.Key Words: Guinea fowl; levels; cyperus bulb; feeding

Factors affecting fertility and hatchability of eggs from artificially inseminated chickens

No Abstract