Evaluation of growth performance and feed efficiency in reciprocal crosses of Fayoumi with three exotic chicken breeds

ABSTRACT

Reciprocal crosses of Fayoumi with Koekoek, Sasso, and White Leghorn chickens and the purebreds were evaluated for growth and feed efficiency traits. Birds were weighed individually at hatch and every four weeks to 20 weeks, and body weight gain was the difference between consecutive records. Feed conversion ratio was the ratio of feed consumed to weight gained by the birds. Results revealed significant differences among the genotypes in those traits. Sasso outperformed all other genotypes throughout the study period. Reciprocal crosses of Fayoumi and Sasso performed better than the remaining seven genotypes, with Koekoek and reciprocals of Fayoumi and Koekoek showing intermediate performance, but Fayoumi and White Leghorn and reciprocals involving them performed the least. In most instances, reciprocals of Fayoumi with Koekoek and White Leghorn outperformed both of their parents. Therefore, these genotypes could be used in any crossbreeding system to exploit the heterotic effects that existed in them.

KEYWORDS:

• Crossbreeding
• Fayoumi
• feed conversion ratio
• genotype
• growth performance
• reciprocal mating

Acknowledgements

This work is part of the Ph.D. dissertation of the first author, and he is grateful to the School of Animal and Range Sciences and the poultry research farm at Haramaya University for providing research facilities. The African Chicken Genetic Gains (ACGG) project of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) are highly appreciated for financing the study.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are included in the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was co-supported by the African Chicken Genetic Gains (ACGG) project of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR).