Assessment Of Weight Gain Between Indigenous And Exotic Breed Of Broiler
Abstract
This study was proposed to assessed the weight gain of indigenous and Exotic breed of broilers. The experiment was carried out at the Agricultural Education research/skill acquisition farm, University of Uyo, Uyo. A total number of 50 indigenous breed of birds were raised under intensive supervision for 9 (weeks). 50 day old Exotic breeds of poultry were purchased from a reliable poultry farm and raised on deep litter system. For 9 (weeks). Three research questions and hypotheses were raised. The parameter measured were live body weight gain, feed consumed and source of feeds. Data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics to obtain the mean, standard deviation and the variance for research question. Independent t-test was employed to test hypotheses. Findings showed that breed and age of birds had significant (P < 0.05) effect on the performance of poultry broilers. Exotic breed of broilers had higher mean value and was superior to indigenous breeds of poultry in body weight gain. The indigenous breeds of poultry had a lower mean score and had a poor performance interms of live body weight. The overall performance of Exotic breeds was better as compared to indigenous breeds of poultry. In conclusion, Exotic breeds was adjudged good and profitable and was recommended to poultry farmers in Akwa Ibom State for increased productivity, income maximization and profit making since the grow and mature faster than the indigenous breeds of poultry.
Chapter One
Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
Poultry farming involves, domesticating birds such as chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese. They are raised primarily for meat production. Chickens raised for eggs are referred to as laying hens while chicken raised for meat are referred to as broilers.
Exotic chickens are raised in specialized caging systems, they are fed with specialized formulated feeds which are rich in essential minerals, their growth are controlled and the meat production are monitored using feed formulation and vaccines. These exotic breeds are never allowed to range freely or scavenge for food. Turkey on the other hand is a large poultry bird that originated from the temperate parts of the world which is now a popular form of poultry in parts of the world. Its meat is a major sources of protein and its feathers are used extensively for decorative purposes (UF Researchers, 2012).
Indigenous birds on the other hand are set free on free range whereby chickens are allowed to move freely during the day and spend the right in the main house. Overnight housing, perching on trees or on roots and overnight housing within the main house are the common patterns of housing prevailing in the indigenous areas. Lack of housing is one of the major constraints of the indigenous poultry production systems. In Akwa Ibom State, a large proportion of indigenous poultry mortality accounted due to nocturnal predators because of lack of proper housing (Dwinger et al., 2003). Some research works also indicated that the mortality of scavenging birds reduced by improving housing. For instance, in Gambia livestock improvement program, which include improved poultry mortality (19%) relative to that observed in Ethiopia (66%) and Tanzania (33%) where no housing improvement were made (Kitalyi, 1998).
Origin of Fowls
According to Oluyemi et al (1985) confirmed that the genetic difference exist in the domestic fowl partly because the fowl probably originated from different wild ancestors.
Based on the above differences, two theories were proposed namely monophyletic theory and the polyphyletic theory. According to monophyletic theory, the domestic fowl originated from Gallus with one ancestor. But the polyphyletic theory states that domestic fowl has more than one ancestors. To the monophyletic, domestic fowl is known as Gallus while the polyphyletic theory knows domestic fowl to be Gall domesticus. The polyphyletic theories attributes to the origin of the domestic fowl to different wild species.
The species suggested are:
Gallus gallus (Red jungle fowl)
Gallus Lafayette (Ceylon jungle fowl)
Gallus sonnerati (grey jungle fowl)
Gallus varius (java jungle fowl).
Through years of domestication, this fowl has undergone different development in different areas of the world. Many highly developed breeds have evolved. The degree of development in different parts of the world has depended on the advancement of the area.
Importance of Poultry Meat
Meat product constitute about 90-95% income for the farmers, the by-products from the poultry to industries are extremely important part of the export market of livestock products.
Meat from poultry are used as a medium of exchange for the Nigeria economy.
Poultry meat increases nutritive value in food when the meat are consumed and improves vitamins, mineral and protein content in the diet.
Meat provides gainful employment to citizenry.
Poultry meat help the Nigerian youths in acquiring psychomotive and affective skills of poultry management and preparation of poultry meat.
Poultry meat is rich in the Omega-3 fats. Poultry meat is an important provider of the essential polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFAS) especially the Omega(n) 3 fatty acids.
Poultry meat can be enriched with several of the important dietary nutrients: unlike most other meats, chicken meat can also easily be enriched with several other important nutrients by adding Mg of selenium.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The acute shortage of protein in the daily diet in meals are on the high increase thus, resulting in several nutritional problems. These problems includes diseases from meat transferred to consumers, high mortality rate among young adults, deficiency in the right supply of nutrient and many more.
This has formed the basis on the need to upgrade meat quality through the observation of principles in the management of poultry meat. This principles are as follows timely feeding regime, of poultry birds, sanitization of the meat environment, proper checking of infected birds of poultry for vaccination, harvesting of the mature birds to avoid cannibalism and debeaking the beaks to discourage feather picking, deworming the birds to disinfects birds against invasion of worms these and many more would reduce problems associated with malnutrition of poultry birds to increase and encourage weight gain by indigenous and exotic birds of poultry.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The broad aim of the study was to assessed the weight gain of the indigenous and exotic breeds of poultry birds and obtained their differences.
They includes the following.
Compare the difference in the weight gain of indigenous and exotic breeds of poultry based on body weight.
Compare the difference in the weight gain of indigenous and exotic breeds of poultry based on feed consumed.
Compare the difference in weight gain of indigenous and exotic breeds of poultry based on source of feeds.
1.4 Research Questions
Is there any difference in the weight gain of indigenous and exotic breeds of poultry based on body weight?
Is there any difference in the weight gain of indigenous and exotic breeds of poultry based on feed consumed?
Is there any difference in the weight gain of indigenous and exotic breeds of poultry based on source of feeds?
1.5 Research Hypothesis
On body weight
There is no significant difference in the weight gain of indigenous and exotic breeds of poultry based on feed consumed.
There is no significant difference in the weight gain of indigenous and exotic breeds of poultry based on source of feeds.
1.6 Significance of the Study
The aim of this study is to assess the weight gain by indigenous and exotic breeds of poultry broiler and to determine the differences that exist between the two specie of broilers. The farmers will benefit because, it would them up on the techniques and skills of raising birds with the recent innovations.
It is also aim at educating students in the secondary schools on the various species of poultry birds and their types of poultry and their weight gain. The research would expose government on the need to establish government owned poultry houses in order to increase the quantities of poultry breeds to the populace who are the end users of poultry products. It would expose poultry dealers on the importance to maintained optimum hygiene during and after the preparation of various species of poultry breed and their weight in order to reduce consuming birds which has loss weight as a result sickness and diseases which may have been transferred from an infected poultry birds.
The research would assists farmers on the need to enlarge their poultry houses in order to create employment to the teeming youths to reduce poverty and crime in our localities.
Consumers of poultry meat would be educated on the various types of poultry breeds (that is the indigenous and the exotic breeds of poultry) and to make decision on the one to go for.
It also help veterinary doctors on the new outbreak of poultry diseases and the new methods of treating them to prevent the spread of such diseases.
1.7 Delimitation of the Study
The study of this research topic is delimited to Akpan Andem market in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and the University poultry farm, University of Uyo, Uyo. The breeds of the poultry meat are of the indigenous and the exotic poultry birds.
Chapter Five
Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations
5.1 Re-statement of the Problem
Based on the foregoing, the study aimed at addressing the following via it’s objectives
To compare the difference in the weight gain of indigenous and exotic breeds of poultry based on body weight.
To compare the difference in the weight gain of indigenous and exotic breeds of poultry based on feed consumed.
To compare the difference in weight gain of indigenous and exotic breeds of poultry based on source of feeds.
5.2 Description of the Procedures Used
The study was on the Assessment of weight gain of indigenous and exotic breeds of broilers. Chapter one expressed clearly the background and fundamental idea or motive underlying the identified problem. Three research questions were raised and three hypotheses were stated in a null form. Related literature Review in Chapter two (2) under different sub-headings and based on the purpose of the study with related empirical works of other researchers. Experimental design was used with intensive deep litter system for rearing the birds. Breeds of chicks, feeds, water, vaccinations administered on the birds were from reputable source; the population of the study were 100 broilers, 50 Exotic breeds and 50 indigenous breeds.
Economic traits measured were body weight, feed consumption and water intake efficiency. These growth traits were raised under different management systems, feeding regime and source of feeds at 2, 4, 6, and 9 weeks intervals. Data collected from the live weight gain of the two breeds were from weighting balance. The data obtained were analyzed with rigorous scrutiny from reliable sources and mean standard deviation and variance supported the analysis. Obtained data were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis (that is the mean, standard variation and variance and independent t-test was used to test the hypotheses.
5.3 Major Findings of the Study
Breed of birds had significant effect on the performance traits of broiler chicken.
Exotic breeds was superior to indigenous breed in body weight gain.
As regards feed intake, Exotic breeds was the best while indigenous was the poorest due to unavailability of feeds.
The feed efficiency and feed intake were related but in reverse manner, that is the Exotic breeds had, timely and adequate supply of feed while the indigenous breed had to go in search for their feeds as they advanced in age, the exotic breeds increased greatly in size while the indigenous breed decreased in weight gain simultaneously.
It was established that indigenous breeds supported comparative better growth responses in terms of feed efficiency, net profit and lower cost of running the birds unlike the exotic breeds that is capital intensive in running the birds.
5.4 Educational Implications of the findings
The findings of the study has tremendous educational implication as this is a reliable foundation in furthering more studies for effective selection of poultry meat especially, when considering the exotic and the indigenous breeds of poultry broilers.
The Nigerian poultry industry has over the years witnessed the introduction of different broiler breeds into the country. The realization of the full growth potential of these imported breeds is largely expected to depend on the nutritional and climatic variables subject to breed characteristics which in turn would have an effect on their productive capacity. The implication is that the broiler producers could select stocks which has the genetic potentialities, for fast growth rate, market weight, early maturing under the existing climatic factors, adaptability to the prevailing environment and resistance to the diseases available in the locality. The study will furnish produces with dependable information of the choice of broiler breeds for table meat. The characteristics could be use as selection criteria for improved quality of broiler meat. The interrelationship between weight gain measurement can be applied in selection process of breed of poultry birds. This will enhance breeding programmes for breeders to achieve optimum combination for maximum economic return.
The study has implications for the breeding companies toward producing high quality broilers with improved production traits. Results from feed efficiency provide a great opportunity for broiler producers to increase availability of high quality meat in the shortest possible time. The implication also shows that broiler farmers should select breeds that are adaptable and suitable to the Nigerian environment with efficient performance. It has implication for the broiler farmer to ensure rearing the most viable breeds of broilers that posses such attributes as fast growth rate, efficiency of feed utilization acceptable colour of flesh and feathering, resistance to disease good life expectancy, adaptation to the immediate weather condition.
The study also has great implication in pedagogy as it will assists Agricultural science teachers to deliver the teaching of Agricultural science subject effectively to students of Agriculture for psycho-productive skill acquisition in broiler production. The implication thereof would help Agricultural students to utilize the agricultural information provided to ensure efficient production of poultry birds at lower cost.
Conclusion
The study showed that Exotic breeds of broilers showed superiority over indigenous breeds of poultry in its characteristics. The exotic breeds showed much increase in weight gain and therefore recommended to farmers as the choice breed with faster growth rate in terms of live body weight gain for market demand and consumption since it matures within 9 weeks and shows sufficient superiority characteristics.
In view of the above discovery, we conclude that comparatively, other poultry breeds that is, the indigenous breeds, Exotic breeds present potentially faster growth parameters in meat quality and body weight and size.
Exotic breeds is profitable and is preferable for poultry farmers in the locality for increased productivity, income generation and maximum profit. The indigenous breeds on the other hand has increased taste and tough skin due to various household feed consumption but has retarded growth and is therefore not preferable for farmers as it takes too much time for it to mature to table size. The indigenous breeds has high carbohydrate content more than the Exotic breeds of broilers.
Recommendations
There is need to design proper breed improvement programmes in order to enhance the genetic potential and to avoid mutation in the course of breeding. Effort should be made to increase productivity through improvement in health, feeding regime, housing and proper management system should be maintained and followed assiduously for increased economic net returns.
Technical Information and continuous training and retaining programmes and campaign should be organized for poultry farmer and workers in the industry to further keep them informed of current technologies. And innovations on broiler production and workshops should be encouraged and also make out ways of avoiding the most identified restraints.
Broiler farmers should ensure rearing of the most viable breeds of broiler that posses such characteristics as fast growth rate, efficiency of feed utilization, early maturing, low mortality rate, acceptance colour of flesh and feathering, resistance to diseases, good life expectancy, adaptation to the immediate weather condition. Farmers should be enlightened by the government on how to improve broiler production, soft loans should be given to farmers in order to boost and advance broiler production so as to produce birds with high protein content for consumption.
Suggestions for further Research
Analysis of meat quality between the Exotic and indigenous broilers of poultry breeds.
Effect of early feed restriction on growth, feed conversion and mortality in two strains of broiler chicken.
Principal component analysis of body measurements in three strain of broiler chicken
