Research Article

Productive Performance of Three Commercial Broiler Genotypes Reared in the Derived Savannah Zone of Nigeria

Carcass characteristics of three broiler strains reared on deep litter and under similar management practices and feeding regime to 8 weeks of age were compared. The broiler strains are Marshall, Arbor Acre and Hubbard. The obtained result showed that breed has significant (p<0.05) effect on live weight at 8 weeks. Marshall Genotype has higher (p<0.05) mean values and was superior to Arbor Acre and Hubbard in live body weight. In terms of other carcass traits, the former also recorded higher (p<0.05) mean values than the latter in carcass weight, dressing weight, eviscerated weight, carcass percentage, breast muscle weight, back muscle weight, thigh muscle weight, drumstick and heart weight. However, the three breeds recorded similar mean values in dressing percentage, abdominal fat weight, liver and gizzard weight. As regards sex effect, males were superior (p<0.05) to females in live body weight at 8 weeks, eviscerated weight, back muscle weight, thigh muscle weight and drumstick weight. However, the two sexes had similar mean values in dressing weight, dressing percentage, carcass weight, carcass percentage, breast weight, abdominal fat weight and edible giblets. There was significant (p<0.05) strain x sex interaction effects on all the traits considered. Regardless of the sex therefore, Marshall was more productive, feed efficient and gave more carcass yield than Arbor Acre and Hubbard when slaughtered at the same age under uniform management practices and environmental conditions. Males also yielded more meat than the females. For increased broiler meat production and maximum profit in the industry, Marshall breed is recommended to poultry farmers.

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S.O. Olawumi and S.S. Fagbuaro, 2011. Productive Performance of Three Commercial Broiler Genotypes Reared in the Derived Savannah Zone of Nigeria. International Journal of Agricultural Research, 6: 798-804.

DOI: 10.3923/ijar.2011.798.804

URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=ijar.2011.798.804

International Journal of Agricultural Research

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S.O. Olawumi

S.S. Fagbuaro

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Research Article

Productive Performance of Three Commercial Broiler Genotypes Reared in the Derived Savannah Zone of Nigeria

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