Determination of the Growth Pattern of Ross 308 Broiler Strain Reared in A Humid Tropical Environment

Year 2022, , 208 - 211, 01.07.2022

Ogechi Kadurumba Ifeanyi Ahamba , Conellus Udealor Chinyere Ikele

https://doi.org/10.47115/bsagriculture.1035050

Abstract

The current study was aimed to investigate the growth pattern of Ross 308 broilers reared in a humid tropical environment Data on body weight and other linear body traits (shank length, body length, wing length, breast width and drumstick were obtained weekly from 60 day old birds for a period of 8weeks. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), using the general linear model procedure. Means were separated for significance, using Least Significant Difference (LSD). The regression model, YI = BIXI, was used for the regression analysis and the allometric growth equation used was Y = aWß. A marked difference (P<0.05) for the body weight of broiler across the various weeks was observed, with the lowest value (139.40±5.48) 0bserved in week 1 and the highest value (2.440.33±51.66) in week 8. The linear regression of age on body parameters showed a highly significant difference (P<0.01) for the morphometric traits studied. The percentage of the regression coefficient for all the traits under consideration were high (above 50%), except for DL that has a low value of 19.2% and the various coefficient of allometry with coefficient of isometric (0.33) indicates that DS and SL grew faster than other components of the Ross 308 broiler body. With the high R2-value obtained for the regression analysis, the study therefore recommends age at 8weeks and all other morphometric traits except DL are the best for the selection of Ross 308 strain of broilers for market weight. Hence, all the studied morphometric traits nice predictors of body weight of broilers, except the drumstick length.

Keywords

Broilers, Ross308, Growth pattern, Allometric

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