EVALUATION OF SELECTED PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS IN AN ONGOING INDIGENOUS CHICKEN IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME IN KENYA

Abstract

A genetic improvement programme to increase productivity of indigenous chicken (IC) in Kenya was implemented by Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) in Naivasha, Kenya. In this work, increased productivity was achieved through crossbreeding, distribution and replacement of IC exotic breeds. This study was conducted in an effort to ascertain the traits of the exotic breeds and their progeny as proceeding from the breeding programme, their egg quality traits and production performance. A sample of 120 exotic parent hens (Ef), 120 1st filial generation of Ef (F1) progeny hens, 12 exotic parent cocks (Em) and 12 F1 progeny cocks were randomly selected for phenotypic characterization by qualitative and quantitative measurements. Data on Ef, F1 progeny and IC hen egg production was obtained from daily performances of up to the 64th week of laying and evaluated. Structured questionnaires were administered to a random sample of 60 farmers to evaluate reproductive performance of F1 progeny hens in Lurambi Sub County, Kakamega County. In addition, eggs were collected and evaluated for egg quality traits from the parent stock (Ef), F1 progeny hens and IC housed at the Naivasha Poultry Research Centre. F1 progeny hens had a body weight of 2.159 ± 0.221 kg, chest circumference of 33.275 ± 2.553 cm and wingspan of 46.137 ± 5.753 cm that was lower than Ef that had 2.283 ± 0.249 kg, 35.133 ± 1.710 cm and 47.425 ± 1.836 cm for the above-mentioned traits respectively. F1 progeny had egg production performance of first egg layed at 128 days, reached peak lay at 186 days and attaining a peak lay of 90%, this was a higher performance when compared to IC which layed the first egg at 158 days, attained a peak lay at 194 days and had a peak lay of 55%. On egg quality based Haugh Unit (HU), Ef had 86.226 ± 5.376 while F1 had 83.020 ± 5.710 and IC had 72.780 ± 15.150. The 2nd filial generation (F2); a crossbreed of F1 and IC, generation had lower egg weights (56.814 ± 7.812 g) and HU values (79.499 ± 8.177) than F1. On crossbreeding F2 with IC to produce the 3rd filial generation (F3), the egg weight and HU reduced to 47.308 ± 4.580 g and 73.373 ± 7.769 respectively. F1 progeny outperformed the IC in body size, egg quality and egg productivity. The study concludes that the resultant F1 had a good production performance in the research station, but hybrid vigour was lost when crossbred with IC. In this regard, farmers should replenish their flocks with F1 progeny to reap the full benefits of heterosis.