Crossbred Chicken for Poultry Production in the Tropics

• Published in: The Journal of Poultry Science Vol. 47; no. 4; pp. 271 - 279
• Main Authors: Islam, Mohammed A., Nishibori, Masahide
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ibaraki Japan Poultry Science Association 2010; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: chicken; crossbred; potentiality; production; tropics; Bangladesh
• ISSN: 1346-7395; 1349-0486; 1349-0486
• DOI: 10.2141/jpsa.010033

The aim of the present review is to assess the potential usefulness of crossbred chickens in tropical environment. Poultry is a promising and emerging sector for poverty alleviation as well as an animal protein source in Bangladesh. Poultry production is yet lies in rural scavenging poultry in tropical country. Crossbreds are reared in scavenging, semi-intensive or intensive systems resulting in birds with good adaptability to tropical climate, highly resistant to disease and performing even better than pure exotic or indigenous chickens. Better growth performances are determined in indigenous naked neck (D. Nana) with Rhode Island Red (RIR), White Leghorn (WLH) or Fayoumi crossbreds in comparison with pure exotic, indigenous or other crossbreds. With respect to egg production, WLH×Fayoumi, RIR×Fayoumi, RIR×WLH and Fayoumi×WLH appear to be suitable combinations. However, crossbreds of D. Nana with RIR or Fayoumi produce more eggs than that of RIR or Fayoumi under scavenging conditions in a tropical climate. The best quality egg is found in WLH chickens but the highest egg shell thickness is found in D. Nana which affects hatchability of eggs. Of the above crosses, RIR×Fayoumi and their reciprocal crosses are found to be the best for fertility and hatchability. Accordingly D. Nana crossed with RIR or WLH or D. nana (indigenous full feathered chicken) results in improved fertility and hatchability of eggs. Although D. Nana crossed with an exotic broiler strain performs the best for meat yield traits, crossbred of D. Nana with RIR, WLH or Fayoumi improve meat yield traits. Therefore, the present review reveals that crossbreds of RIR×Fayoumi or D. Nana cockerels with RIR, WLH and Fayoumi hens may be considered for poultry production in tropical climate. This review emphasizes the use of D. Nana and its crosses with RIR, WLH or Fayoumi for their suitability in tropical regions.