Effect of Batch of Hatch on Growth Performance of Nigerian Indegenous Tiv Chicken Ecotype

Abstract

<jats:p>Study on the effect of batch of hatch on growth performance of the Nigerian Tiv chicken ecotype was undertaken to investigate genetic diversity within the populations. A total of 55 birds comprising of 50 hens and 5 cock were purchased and used as the base population. A mating ratio of 1 cock to 10 hens was applied to generate the experimental birds. After successful four batches of hatching, 354 chicks were generated. The birds were raised according to their batch of hatch until mortality. Data were collected on body weight, body weight gain, growth rate and mortality rate. Data collected were subjected to one-way Analysis of Variance using the SPSS statistical package version 21. The results indicate that batch of hatch had significant (P&lt;0.05) effect on weekly body weight, body weight gain and growth rate at day old and at subsequent weeks until maturity. Batches 3 and 4 had significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher body weight, body weight gain and growth rate compared to batches 1 and 2. Batches 2 and 4 had significantly (P&lt;0.05) lower mortality rate compared to batches 1 and 3 at initial age but as from 7 weeks of age, batches 1 and 2 had significantly (P&lt;0.05) lower mortality rate compared to batches 3 and 4. From this study, it was recommended that the genetic diversity across batch of hatch within the Tiv chickens observed in this study should be exploited through selection subsequent crossing between birds from different batch of hatch to take advantage of heterosis.</jats:p>