Abstract
A study of the relative performance of a local chicken (Fulani Ecotype or FExFE), an exotic chicken (Dominant Black or DBxDB), and their reciprocal crosses (DBxFE and FExDB) was undertaken. A total of three hundred and thirty (330) chickens comprising 100 DBxDB, 80 DBxFE, 80 FExDB and 70 FExFE were studied. All animals were raised from day old to 21 weeks age contemporaneously under identical housing, feeding and management procedures during which growth parameters were measured. Significant (p<0.05) differences in weight gain were observed between groups (FExDB 1365.10±2.47, FExFE 1367.00±2.98 > DBxFE 1346.80±3.05 > DBxDB 1314.40±3.61) over the 21 week experimental period. FExFE had significantly (p<0.05) lower Feed Efficiency than all other groups (FExDB 69.18±0.03, DBxDB 68.78±0.03, DBxFE 68.50±0.02 > FExFE 67.50±0.02) over the same period. Low mortality (≤ 2%) occurred across genotypes with FExFE having the least mortality. The results indicated that reciprocal crossing of pure local Fulani Ecotype with exotic Dominant Black strain produces chickens with indistinguishable Feed Efficiency from the highly improved Dominant Black, and superior to the pure Fulani. Cross breeding of the type reported here may therefore serve as a tool for improving efficiency of Fulani Ecotype local poultry whilst retaining elements of their valued characteristics which include meat value. Further studies will evaluate the hybrids (F1) of FE and DB for retention of desirable characteristics of local breeds.