Diallel analysis for body weight involving three genotypes of Nigerian indigenous chickens

• Published in: South African journal of animal science Vol. 45; no. 2; pp. 188 - 197
• Main Authors: Olutunmogun, A.K., Adedibu, I.I., Orunmuyi, M., Muhammad, H., Musa, A.A., Akpa, G.N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: South African Association of Animal Science (SASAS) 01.01.2015
• ISSN: 0375-1589
• DOI: 10.4314/sajas.v45i2.10

To evaluate heterosis, reciprocal effect, general and specific combining abilities for body weight, a diallel crossing experiment was conducted using three genotypes of Nigerian indigenous chickens: normal (N), frizzle (F) and naked-neck (Na). A total of 601 chicks was hatched from all possible matings between the three genotypes. The chicks used in this study were hatched from a foundation stock of 90 chickens comprising 25 hens and 5 cocks for each of the three genotypes. A mating ratio of 1 male : 5 females was employed. Furthermore, data on body weight were scrutinized with complete diallel analysis after they had been corrected for significant effects of hatch of birds using least squares constants. The results revealed that body weight (BWT) was significantly influenced by genetic groups with the frizzle-naked (FNa) having the best performance at all ages (4 - 20 weeks) except at hatch, with a mean final BWT of 1173 g at 20 weeks old. The next best performing was its reciprocal, the naked-frizzle (NaF), with a mean final BWT of 1162 g. Furthermore, the FNa gave the best estimates for heterosis and specific combining ability, while the F and NNa gave the best estimates for general combining ability and reciprocal effect, respectively. Therefore, the F genotype as sire and the Na as dam provided the most suitable combination for improved BWT. Furthermore, the use of the Na genotype as dam was more suitable owing to the significant reciprocal effect.