On-station performance evaluation of improved tropically adapted chicken breeds for smallholder poultry production systems in Nigeria

Background Availability of appropriate genetics is important for the development of smallholder poultry (SHP). The biological potential of improved dual purpose chicken germplasms was evaluated in Nigeria. Methods A total of six breeds (Fulani,FUNAAB Alpha,Kuroiler,Noiler,Sasso, andShika-Brown) were tested on-station, in deep litter houses at two test centres (Public and private facility) for 504 days. Birds were fed ad libitum for the first 140 days after which restricted feeding was practised. Result Lowest and highest hatchability of eggs set was 55% (FUNAAB Alpha) and 89% (Sasso), respectively. At 140 days, male live weights were 200%-300 % higher than the local chickens (975 g) exceptShika-Brown(152%) andFulani(135%). Lowest (p< 0.05) age at first egg was 119 days forShika-Brownand 120 days forFUNAAB AlphaandKuroiler.Highest hen-housed egg production was 192 forShika-Brown, and feed intake per dozen eggs was lowest (p< 0.05) forShika-Brown(2.9 kg) andFUNAAB Alpha(2.9 kg). Mortality rate of the locally sourced breeds (Fulani,FUNAAB Alpha,Noiler,and Shika-Brown) was significantly lower (p< 0.05) than the foreign-sourced breeds (Kuroiler,Sasso) during brooding, growing and laying. Conclusion Results from this study identifiedFUNAAB AlphaandNoileras being more suitable for dual-purpose functions (egg and meat), whileSassoandKuroiler(meat) andShika-Brown(egg) were observed to be better suited for single purpose functions. These findings could guide the introduction of smallholder poultry-specific hybrid germplasms for the development of the smallholder poultry production systems in Nigeria.