GENETIC CHANGE IN THE NIGERIAN HEAVY LOCAL CHICKEN ECOTYPE THROUGH SELECTION FOR BODY WEIGHT AND EGG PRODUCTION TRAITS

ABSTRACT

The study was carried out to determine the genetic change in the Nigerian heavy local chicken ecotype (NHLCE) through selection for body weight and egg production traits. Progenies (G0 generation) generated from breeding parents randomly selected from the parent stock of the NHLCE formed the materials for the research. On hatching, the chicks were grouped according to sire families using colour markers. The chicks were brooded and reared according to standard management practices. They were fed a starter mash containing 18% crude protein and 2800

Kcal/kgME from 0 – 8 weeks and a growers mash containing 15% crude protein and 2670 Kcal/ kgME from 8 weeks to 20 weeks. At 20 weeks, all pullets were moved into individual laying cages for short-term (16 weeks) egg production. From then the birds were fed layers mash containing 16.5% crude protein and 2600Kcal/kgME. Data were collected on body weight, egg weight and egg number. A control population was maintained for each generation and was used to measure environmental effects. At the end of the 16 weeks egg production period, hens were subjected to selection using a multiple trait selection index incorporating body weight at first egg (BWFE), average egg weight and total egg number. The relative economic weights of the traits and their heritabilities were used to weight the phenotypic values of each trait in the index. The index score of each bird became a univariate character, which enabled the hens to be ranked for purposes of selection. Males were selected based on their individual body weight performances at 39 weeks of age using mass selection. Selected parents from G0  generation were used to generate the G1 generation which in turn yielded the parents of the G2 generation. Data on body weight, BWFE, egg weight and egg number were subjected to statistical analysis to obtain means, standard error of means and standard deviation using the SPSS 2001 statistical package. Analysis of variance yielded sire component of variance from which the additive genetic heritabilities of the traits were calculated. Genetic, phenotypic and environmental correlations between pairs of traits in the index were estimated. Indicators of selection response, namely, selection differential, expected, predicted and realized genetic gains were determined for each

trait. There were significant increases (P ≤ 0.05) in all the traits selected. Body weight performances (sexes combined) increased across the age periods (0 – 20 weeks) from the starting mean values in G0  generation to the final values in G2  generation. The body weight at hatch increased from a mean of 30.30g in G0  generation to 33.48g in G2  generation. Body weights at

4th, 8th, 12th, 16th and 20th week of age also showed similar increases. Body weight of males and females were similarly significantly improved. Mean body weight of males at 12, 16, 20 and 39

weeks of age were 791.40 ± 8.79g, 932.25 ± 7.83g, 1112.60 ± 11.98g and 1693.75 ± 19.91g, respectively for G0 generation as against 825.28±7.54g, 1027.83 ± 9.90g, 1156.69 ± 11.74g and

2000.00 ± 31.34g, respectively for G2  generation. For females, body weights at 12, 16 and 20

weeks as well as BWFE were 667.98 ± 6.30g, 791.52 ± 6.24g, 911.59 ± 6.33g and 1330.44 ±

2.141g, respectively in G0 generation. The corresponding values for G2 generation were 673.94 ±

6.48g, 812.54 ± 7.72g, 939.64 ± 7.28g and 1428.48 ± 3.051g, respectively. For egg production, significant improvements were also made. Total egg number and average egg weight increased from 75.60 eggs and 41.27g, respectively in G0 generation to 79.38 eggs and 43.18g, respectively in G2 generation. Selection differential values were positive and high for 39 weeks body weight in males across the three generations (mean, 302.19g) as well as for total egg number (mean,

10.74eggs) and average egg weight (mean, 0.47g) in females. It was, however, negative on the average for BWFE (-5.41g). Selection intensity values for mass selection in males were 2.11,

1.75 and 1.16 for G0, G1  and G2  generations, respectively. Mean selection intensity values for total egg number, average egg weight and body weight at first egg were 0.729, 0.106 and -0.277,

respectively. For index values, selection differentials (∆SI) were equally positive across the three generations and selection intensity (iI) remained relatively stable viz. 0.703, 0.989 and 0.890 for G0, G1 and G2 generations, respectively. Direct selection responses namely, expected, predicted and realized genetic gains were mostly positive for all traits selected. Expected average direct genetic gain per generation for egg number, egg weight and BWFE were 12.58 eggs, 2.98g and

25.04g, respectively. For gain in index traits due to selection on index score, a mean value of

1.705 eggs was obtained for total egg number, 0.949g for average egg weight and 43.93g for BWFE. The ratio of realized to expected genetic gain were positive across the three generations. Specifically, a mean ratio of 0.61 was obtained for 39 weeks body weight in males, 1.58 for BWFE, 1.70 for average egg weight and 1.75 for total egg number, for females. The estimate of additive genetic heritability (h2) ranged from 0.12 to 0.24 for egg number, 0.34 to 0.43 for egg weight and 0.57 to 0.70 for body weight. Estimates of genetic correlation (rg)   in whole populations across the three generations ranged from -0.01 to 0.01 for EN-EW, -0.06 to 0.01 for EN-BWFE, and 0.002 to 0.02 for EW-BWFE. For phenotypic correlation (rp), a range of -0.12 to 0.09, -0.04 to 0.08, and 0.21 to 0.23 were obtained for EN-EW, EN-BWFE, and EW-BWFE, respectively whereas, for environmental correlation, a range of 0.55 to 1.31, 0.52 to 0.69, and 0.38 to 0.85 were obtained, respectively for the same pairs of traits.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       INTRODUCTION

The report of the FAO expert consultation on animal genetic resources (FAO 1973) recommended the improvement and conservation of animal genetic resources indigenous to countries. However, two major constraints delayed its implementation until the 1980s. These constraints include the lack of funds on the one hand, and the delay caused by the disagreement between scientists concerning the genetic merits of these indigenous breeds on the other hand. Most scientists were at this time locked in the paradigm of economic progress as the only value.

Consequently, the prevailing animal production policy then (1960s and 1970s) was to try to improve tropical breeds by introducing temperate breeds with high genetic merits (AGRI,

2002).  Indigenous  breeds  were  considered  obsolete.  Improving  and  conserving  indigenous breeds were regarded as uneconomic and, therefore, should be allowed to disappear. But Payne and Hodges (1997) had noted that the philosophy of improving animal production in the tropics with temperate breeds did not only fail but also damaged indigenous breed resources.

Humanity shapes biodiversity, knowingly or unknowingly. This biodiversity results both from natural selection for adaptation and artificial selection through human choices for use and/or aesthetic value. The preferential selection of distinct genetic traits is reflected in the breed types and races that are adapted to specific uses or environments. Nigeria is blessed with a vast array of animal biodiversity (Nwosu, 1990). This array of breeds is a human heritage worthy of improvement and conservation. Their loss is bound to deplete the quality of human life (Hodges, 2002).

The population of Nigeria was estimated to be about 144 million people (National Population Commission, 2006). With an estimated population growth rate of 2.9% per annum, the population is currently about 160 million. The provision of adequate food for this teaming population is the mandate of the agricultural sector.

Animal agriculture must also provide the animal protein needs of Nigerians. This is an enormous  responsibility.  The  British  Medical  Association  recommends  a  minimum  animal protein intake of 34g per caput per day (Okuneye, 2002). Also, the food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (1989), recommends 20g of animal protein per caput per day as the minimum for consumption for developing countries (Okuneye and Banwo, 1990) but  75g  as  the  optimum  for  normal  growth  and  development  (Food  and  Agriculture

Organization,  FAO,  1992).  This  translates  to  a  minimum  demand  of  about  3.4  million kiogrammes and a maximum of 7.5 million kilogrammes of animal protein per day for a population of about a 100 million people. But according to Oluyemi (1979), the average animal protein intake per caput per day in Nigeria was a mere 7.6g or 38% of the FAO minimum recommendation for developing countries and a mere 10% of the requirement for excellent growth and development. The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN (2000) while analyzing the economic sub-sectors noted that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been on a downward trend. And since the nature of GDP reflects the standard of living of the citizens it means that the standard of living of Nigerians has been on the decline. By extension this also implies that the animal protein intake of the average Nigerian has continued to fall far below the recommended levels.

The Federal Ministry of agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD)(2008) gave the estimated number of indigenous chicken in Nigeria as 166 million. The exotic breeds were believed to number about 5 million. Akinwumi et al. (1979) gave an estimate of about 123.0 million for indigenous fowls and 9.6 million for exotic birds. In addition to the above are thousands of horses, camels and pigs as well as millions of donkeys, cattle, goats and sheep.

The above statistics are impressive but where are the products? In 1998, out of a total of

101 million metric tones of poultry meat projected for production, only 77 million metric tones were realized. In 1999, 109 million metric tones were projected but only 82 million metric tones were supplied by the poultry sector. The figure for the year 2000 was similar as only 88 million metric tones were supplied out of a total projection of 116 million metric tones (CBN, 2002).

Livestock value is not measured in numbers but in terms of amount of useable animal products harvested for human consumption (Nwosu,1990). A reliable yardstick for measuring productivity of animal products is hence the total production and the production per person per year. Thus, it is significant to note that in 1994, 1996, and 2000 the total meat products (of various types)  produced per person in Nigeria was 8.224kg, 8.694kg, and 8.772kg, respectively (Okuneye,2002). These figures reveal serious shortages from the recommended 75g per caput daily animal protein intake or its equivalent 25.375kg per person per annum intake (FAO,1989).

To make up for these shortages, Nigeria must import animal milk and meat products from other countries. Thus in spite of the enormous number of indigenous livestock resources, Nigeria remains a net importer of livestock products since the 1980s (Okuneye, 2002). Von Mason

(1989) stated that Nigeria was the biggest importer of dairy products in West Africa. The 2,428 metric tones of beef and 198,000 metric tones of milk imported by Nigeria in 1987 cost the nation a whopping sum of US$3.27 million and US$69.00 million, respectively (ILCA, 1991). This trend has not abated till date (Okuneye, 2002). To bridge the animal protein demand and supply gap the Nigerian government in the 1970s and 1980s attempted to improve local breeds of cattle by importing temperate breeds. These efforts failed principally because the exotic breeds could not adapt to the tropical Nigerian environment as the challenges of tropical climate, pests and diseases were unbearable to them. The problem of streptothricosis in crossbred cattle was quite devastating. The importation and rearing of exotic poultry species have not also been able to bridge this gap. The reasons also include the challenges of stressful environment and diseases which reduce performance added to the high cost of inputs (genetic and feed materials, drugs and bio-organics) which discourage so many investors from investing in the industry.

Locally adapted breeds (indigenous species) are better able to survive and produce valuable products in low input and variable environments (AGRI, 2002). A strategy to develop these breeds is, therefore, likely to be more sustainable over the long term than reliance on external genetic resources. Nwosu (1979) had deplored the lack of a co-ordinated effort to preserve, harness, and improve the genetic potentials of Nigeria’s indigenous livestock breeds.

1.1       Research Objectives

The general objective of this study is to improve the performance of the Nigerian heavy ecotype local chickens with respect to their body weight and egg production (egg number and egg weight).

The specific objectives are to:

1.   Evaluate the Nigerian Heavy Local Chicken Ecotype (NHLCE) for growth (body weight)

from 0 – 20 weeks of age and for short term (16 weeks) egg production.

2.   Estimate the genetic parameters, namely heritabilities (h2) and genetic correlations (rg) as well  as  phenotypic  and  environmental  correlations  (rp   and  rE,  respectively)  of  body weight, egg weight and short-term egg production (egg number) in this population in the Nsukka environment.

3.   Estimate the relative economic weight of egg number, egg weight and body weight at first egg in the NHLCE.

4.   Undertake selection in the NHLCE using mass selection for body weight in males and a selection index for body weight, egg weight and short–term egg production (egg number) in females with a view to improving its performance.

1.2       Problem Statement

There has been a total neglect of the indigenous species of livestock. The raw materials have remained undeveloped. The few poultry farms and hatcheries in the country are stock multipliers rather than primary breeders. They depend on foreign sources for hatchable eggs, commercial day-old chicks, and grand parent stocks, hence the high cost of these inputs and the low returns of commercial poultry ventures.

The neglect of the local breeds is mostly due to poor product yield resulting from non improvement as well as from poor and stressful environment. The local chicken for instance is unattractive to investors because of its small body size (hence poor carcass yield) as well as poor egg production performance both in total number of eggs laid and the sizes of eggs produced (mostly pee wees).

It is, therefore, imperative that efforts be channeled towards the improvement of the Nigerian indigenous chickens. Improvement in body weight performance will increase its carcass yield and enhance its acceptance as a meat bird while improvement in her egg production performance (egg number and egg weight) will enhance its acceptance as a source of commercial egg production. A scientific proof that the local chicken responds positively to genetic improvement strategies could stimulate public/private sector investment to improve the local chicken. In this way the value of the native chicken can be enhanced to provide a buffer against the recurrent shortages and prohibitive cost of animal protein materials in Nigeria.

1.3       Justification

Nigeria is endowed with numerous livestock species which are indigenous to her. These animals have lived, adapted and produced for centuries in the Nigerian environment (Nwosu,

1990).  They,  therefore,  constitute  genetic  resources  and  raw  materials  capable  of  being developed into modern  improved breeds  and strains. The application of basic principles of animal breeding and genetics, as well as, improved management practices could significantly enhance the productive performance of the Nigerian indigenous species of livestock including the local chicken.

The  improvement  of  the  indigenous  livestock  resources  hence  requires  a  more methodical, sustained and painstaking approach. Selection provides the basic tool. Selection and purposeful mating, therefore, are the foundations of a serious effort towards the improvement of the local chicken. In this era of harsh economic conditions and dwindling national resources, sustainability becomes the watch word of every endevour. A poultry industry built on imported inputs (fertile eggs, F1  day – old chicks, feed raw materials, bio-organics, drugs etc) cannot be sustained. Improving the indigenous stock hence remains the only way of building a strong and viable poultry industry (Nwosu, 1990, Ikeme, 1990).

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