Determination of the relationship among body weight and body conformation traits of two broiler strains in the Northern guinea savanna
The aim of this study was to determine the body weight and conformation traits and their correlations of two broiler strains in the northern guinea savanna. Two hundred broiler strains comprising of 100 Arboracre and 100 Hubbard strains were used to evaluate body weight and body conformation from day old to 8 weeks of age and their correlation. Body weight and body conformation (morphometric) traits (shank length, breast width, back length, neck, thigh length and keel length) were taken on weekly basis. Results obtained shows that Hubbard broiler strain had body weight of 0.298±0.0287, 1.0083±0.0123, 2.063±0.0219 and 3.079±0.02 kg while Arboracre strain had body weight of 0.2603±0.0587, 0.8125±0.0185, 1.7100±0.0287 and 2.604±0.0219 kg, respectively at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of age. The body conformation measurements of Hubbard strain were significantly higher than that of Arboracre strain (p<0.05) at 8 weeks of age for all traits studied. In the Hubbard strain, the correlation coefficients were high (p<0.05) and positive between body weight and the morphometric traits ranging from 0.882 to 0.981. Correlation between neck length and shank length (0.970), thigh length (0.900), keel length (0.905), breast width (0.974) and back length (0.977) were also positive and high (p<0.05). For the Arboracre, the correlation coefficients were also high (p<0.05) and positive between body weight and the morphometric traits ranging from 0.861 to 0.977. Correlation between neck length and shank length (0.849), thigh length (0.847), keel length (0.821), breast width (0.922) and back length (0.939), were high and positive. This is a good indicator that body conformation can be used in selection programme for improved body weight.
Keywords: Arboracre, Body Conformations, Body Weight, Broiler, Correlation, Hubbard
*Correspondence: hkyahaya@hotmail.co.uk
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