This study aimed to evaluate various selection strategies for adoption in dual-purpose (ICD), meat (ICM) and layer (ICL) breeding goals in indigenous chicken breeding programs. The ICM goal aimed to improve live weight (LW), daily gain (ADG) and egg weight (EW) or together with feed efficiency and antibody response. For the ICL goal, age at first egg (AFE) and egg number (EN) or together with feed efficiency and antibody response were targeted.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study aimed at estimating genetic and phenotypic relationships among feed efficiency, immune and production traits measured pre- (9-20 weeks of age) and post- (12 weeks from on-set of lay) maturity. Production traits were average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed-intake (ADFI) in the pre-maturity period and age at first egg (AFE), average daily feed-intake (ADFI) and average daily egg mass (EM) in the post-maturity period. Feed efficiency comprised of residual feed intake (RFI) estimated in both periods.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study aimed at investigating the influence of genetic and non-genetic factors on immune traits to inform on possibilities of genetic improvement of disease resistance traits in local chicken of Kenya. Immune traits such as natural and specific antibodies are considered suitable indicators of an individual's health status and consequently, used as indicator traits of disease resistance. In this study, natural antibodies binding to Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH-NAbs) was used to measure general disease resistance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study aims to investigate the influence of non-genetic factors on feed efficiency in indigenous chicken. Residual feed intake (RFI), residual gain (RG) and residual intake and gain (RIG) were used as measures of feed efficiency. Feed intake and body weight data were collected on 107 experimental birds on a daily and weekly basis, respectively, from ages 11 to 20 weeks.
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