On station and on-farm evaluation of two Tanzania chicken ecotypes for body weights at different ages and for egg production
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Date
2008-12Author
Lwelamira, James
Kifaro, G.C.
Gwakisa, P.S.
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A study was carried out to evaluate genetic potential of two chicken ecotypes of Tanzania viz. Kuchi
and Medium managed both under intensive and extensive management systems. Traits studied under
intensive conditions included body weights at 8 (Bwt8), 12 (Bwt12), 16 (Bwt16), and 20 (Bwt20) weeks of
age, age at sexual maturity (AFE), egg number in the first 90 days after sexual maturity (EN-90), egg
weight (EW), eggshell thickness (STH), egg shape index (ESI), while under extensive management it
involved only body weights at various ages. There were significant differences between ecotypes with
respect to body weights (P < 0.001), EW (P< 0.05) in favour of Kuchi; and EN-90 (P < 0.05), AFE (P <
0.05) in favour of Medium ecotype. However, differences between ecotypes with respect to STH and ESI
were not significant (P > 0.05). Bwt8, Bwt12, Bwt16 and Bwt20 under intensive management averaged
over both sexes for Kuchi and Medium ecotypes were 490 and 404 g; 954 and 776 g; 1394 and 1183 g
and 1647 and 1447 g, respectively. Corresponding body weights under extensive management were 348
and 273 g; 685 and 581 g; 974 and 845 g; 1188 and 1046 g, respectively. Average AFE, EN-90, EW, and
ESI under intensive managements for Kuchi and Medium ecotypes were 173 and 168 days; 45 and 49
eggs; 45 and 42 g; 75 and 74%, respectively, while average STH in both ecotypes was around 37 µ.
From these results, it was concluded that Kuchi was superior to Medium ecotype in terms of body
weights and converse was true for most of egg production and related traits, and further that their
performance can further be improved by improving both management system and improving their
genetic potential through within ecotype selection. Since Kuchi ecotype was superior to Medium
ecotype in terms body weights and opposite was true for Medium ecotype in terms of most egg
production and related traits. Therefore, Kuchi ecotype could be good starting genetic material for
further improvement in body weight, and Medium ecotype in egg production traits.
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