Evaluation of Growth and Genetic Parameters of Second Filial Generation (F2) Offspring of Crossbreed Exotic and Local Birds

This experiment evaluatedgrowth traits and estimated genetic parameters of offspring (F2)crossbreed of exotic and local birds in University of Nigeria Nsukka farm. A total of 240 F2 hatched chicks from the genotype groups of F1 (offspring of first filial generation)were used for this experiment. The chicks were brooded in groups according to their genotypes for six weeks. Parameters measured include; body weight, body length, thigh length, and shank length from which heritability were estimated. The result shows that Amo cock x Isa brown hen genotype (AC x IBH f2) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in body weight than other genotypes in all the weeks considered with a mean weight of 46.67±0.33 at 1st week and 1365.00±56.75at 12thweeks of age, followed by Amo cock x heavy ecotype hen genotype (AC x HEH f2) with a mean weight of 41.00±1.00 and 1253.00±69.51 at 1stand 12thweeks respectively. Heritability in week one were found to be low in all the traits observed except in body weight and body length of AC x IBH f2 with h2s of 0.941 and 0.360 for body weight and body length respectively. It could be concluded therefore that crossbreeding of Nigeria local birds with a proven exotic birds increases production performance. Also additive gene effect was stronger than the non- additive gene effect, epitasis or even environmental factors.