Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences 
J. Anim. Plant Sci. [ISSN 2071 - 7024]
Volume 15(2): 2130 - 2134. Published September, 2012.

Laying performance of five local hen phenotypes, in improved rearing conditions

Hervé Brice Dakpogan1, Sahidou Salifou2, Armand B. Gbangboche3 and Christophe A.A.M. Chrysostome4

1,2Applied Biological Research Laboratory of Polytechnic School, University of Abomey-Calavi , Benin,
3,4
Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey- Calavi, Benin

Corresponding e-mail: dakpogan2002@yahoo.fr, tel: (00229) 94 62 58 36

SUMMARY

The laying performance was evaluated for 2 years on 5 free-range local hens. Their phenotypes were: the normal, the naked neck, the dwarf, the silky and the frizzle. These were allocated into a family of 6 hens and 1 cock in duplicate at research station. Laying cycle, number of laid eggs, egg weight, egg length and diameter, day-old chick weight and phenotype were the collected data. The egg characteristics results in terms of egg weight and egg diameter were not significantly different among the phenotypes (P<0.05). But on the other hand significantly (P-value) longer eggs were recorded with dwarf hens and naked neck. Frizzle hens laid significantly more eggs (135 eggs/year/hen) than normal hens (51 eggs/year/hen) and were the most precocious (149.1 ± 3.3 days) and significantly heavier at sexual maturity stage (1065.1 ± 42 g) than the other hens. The mean interval between consecutive laying periods was shorter with dwarf hens (21.2 ± 1.5 days), naked neck (21.8 ±1.7 days) and frizzle (22.4 ± 1.5 day). Significantly lower chick weight was recorded in silky phenotype compared to other phenotypes. Results indicated that, provision of better health care, better feeding and management helped the free-range hens to better express their genetic make-up. The phenotype effect herein observed on laying performance proved that the choice of hen phenotype will be a determinant in selection programs for free-range local hens laying performance improvement.

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ISSN 2071 - 7024

Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences

The Journal of Applied BioSciences