Comparative performance of Black Australorp, Malawian local chicken and their F1 crossbred roasters

Abstract

A study was conducted to assess and compare the growth performance and carcass yield traits or Black Australorp (BA). Malawian local chicken (LC) und their F1 crasses at 8 weeks of age. Far each genotype BA x BA, LC x LC, BA x LC and LC x BA, 45 birds were used, Commercial growers' mash was fed to experimental roasters ad lib. BA x BA roasters were significantly (P< 0.05) superior for live body weight at 20 weeks and average daily weight gain to 20 weeks of age. BA x LC and LC x BA were intermediate and signiticantly heavier thun LC x LC. LC x LC consumed the least amount of feed, whereas BA x BA, BA x LC and LC x BA consumed similar amount of feed. LC x LC was significantly inferior (P< 0.05) for warm carcass, drumstick, thigh, breast meat and remaining carcass yields. Drumstick and thigh yields did not differ signilicantly (P< 0.05) between BA x BA and BA x LC. LC x BA had similar breast meat yield to BA x BA. BA x BA was significantly superior(P< 0.05) for remaining carcass yields while BA x LC and LC x BA were intermediate. There were no significant differences (P> 0.05) due to gellotypes for proportion (%) of carcass parts yields except wing yields. Wings constituted a significantly higher proportion of LC x LC warm carcass, crossbreds were intermediate and BA x BA was significantly inferior.