Evaluation of the Production Performance of Local Frizzle Chicken in Lagawa Area, Nuba Mountains-South Kordofan State- Sudan

Abstract

Frizzled (Ff) and normally feathered (ff) genotypes were reciprocally mated to produce the first generation: frizzled (Ff-F and Ff-N) and normally feathered (ff-F and ff-N) genotypes. Later the second generation produced by internal mating within each genotype. The produced genotypes were: Frizzled (Ff-FF and Ff-FN), over frizzled (FF and normally feathered ( ff-FF, ff-FN, ff-NF and ff-NN) genotypes. 192 and 288 chicks were used for the 1st and the 2nd generation. All chicken were kept on open sided houses and reared under the same environmental, managerial and hygienic condition. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. No significant differences between the frizzled and normally feathered genotypes in body weight, body gain, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio at 0-12 weeks of age although, the frizzled genotype Ff-FN was heavier than the Ff-F. More over, the frizzled hens were heavier than the normally feathered one at sexual maturity age. Likewise, no significant differences were recorded in egg production and egg quality except for egg weight, egg width egg shell thickness, Albumin weight, yolk height and yolk color. The fertility and hatchability of the frizzled is higher than the normally feathered genotypes, but there is no significant difference ix The homozygous over frizzled (FF) genotype showed significantly lower percentages in feather, liver and Giblets weight, similarly higher weight in heart, spleen and abdominal fat, but with no significant differences. This could be attributed to the fact that, the values of the growth rate and the feed consumption and egg production measured during the winter and autumn seasons. However, the effect of the frizzle gene is only well pronounced at high constant temperature. There is no superiority of the frizzled genotypes in most of the egg quality traits. The mortality of the frizzled genotypes proved to be lower than the other normally feathered genotypes. This was attributed to its tolerance to heat stress and disease resistance .Therefore, introducing frizzle (F) genes in selection programs for its characteristics in heat tolerance and disease- resistance must be taken into consideration.