The Effect of Seasonal Variability on Fertility and Mortality Rates of Two Strains of Breeder Cocks in the Humid Tropics
[1]
Simeon O. Olawumi, Animal Breeding and Genetics Unit, Department of Animal Production and Health Sciences, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.
The present investigation was conducted to assess the impact of various weather conditions on fertility and mortality rates of two strains of breeder cocks in the humid zone of Nigeria. The seasons are early rain (ER), late rain (LR), early dry (ED) and late dry (LD). The two strains are Barred Plymouth Rock (BPR) and White Plymouth Rock (WPR). Analyzed data showed that strains differed (P<0.01) significantly in fertility rate. BPR genotype recorded superior percentage than WPR in fertility. In the case of mortality, the two strains did not differ significantly (P>0.05). With regard to season, the different seasonal subdivisions exerted varying degrees of influence on fertility rate. Both ER and LR favoured and enhanced fertility rate of breeder cocks than ED and LD seasons. This implies that more chicks were produced in the former than the latter. Similar to what happened to fertility during the seasons, dry season negatively impacted on mortality than rainy season. That is, more deaths were recorded in the ED and LD than ER and LR seasons. There was significant (P<0.01) strain x season effect on fertility and mortality. This implies that the two traits are strain and season dependent. BPR genotype performed well in all the seasons including dry seasons than WPR cocks. The former recorded higher percent fertility and lower percent mortality in both rain and dry seasons than the latter. For possible intervention in the industry, BPR genotype is recommended as genetic material in any breeding programme to upgrade the genetic potential of our indigenous chickens.
Strain, Trait, Fertility, Mortality, Season
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