Abstract
The effects of incorporating local naked neck gene in exotic high yielding chicken to synthesize types suitable for rural poultry production. Md. Ebadul Haque, Ph. D. Dissertation, Department of Poultry Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202.
Three experiments were conducted at Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI), Savar, Dhaka to observe the effect of Naked neck (Na) gene on performance of fowls. A partial diallel crossing was made using 3 males and 20 females of each of genotypes; Local Naked neck (NaD), Rhode Island Red (RIR), White Leghorn (WL) and Fayoumi (Fy). They were crossed to produce NaD x NaD, NaD x RIR, NaD x WL, NaD x Fy, RIR X RIR, WL × WL and Fy x Fy offsprings. The performance of 7 genotypes in F1 and F2 generations were compared under intensive system of rearing to recommend their relative potentiality. Another batch of 7 genotypes of F2 generation was distributed to village at 18 weeks of age to compare their egg production performance under scavenging condition. For Fi generation, highest body weight gain and best feed conversion efficiency was found in NaDRIR. Highest breast meat was found in NaDWL. Hen day egg production was highest in NaDFy, but egg mass production was highest in NaDWL with superior feed conversion. Among crossbreds, survivability during growing period was highest in NaDFy followed by NaDWL and NaDRIR. Survivability during laying period was highest in NaDWL followed by NaDFy and NaDRIR. For F2 generation, highest body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency were in NaDRIR followed by NaDFy and NaDWL. Total meat yield per cent was highest in NaDFy than all other genotypes. Hen day egg production was highest in NaDFy, but egg mass production was highest in NaDWL with superior feed conversion. Under scavenging condition, egg production was highest in NaDRIR followed NaDWL and NaDFy. NaDRIR and NaDWL had marked highest survival rate than the pure breeds, indicating a beneficial effect of Na gene on survivability. The birds having Na inheritance had superior albumen index, Haugh unit score, highest shell thickness and per cent shell. Na inheritance had also significant positive correlations of shell thickness, dry yolk weight, dry albumen weight and per cent yolk with egg weight.
So, it was concluded that Na gene had a positive effect on growth rate, meat yield, egg production and egg quality of chicken. Superiority of breast meat seemed to be the main advantage of incorporating local Na gene in exotic breeds.