Abstract
Aim:This study aimed to contribute to the productivity improvement of the local chickens by enhancing their egg production traits using a crossbreeding program between Alexandria (local strain) and Lohmann White (commercial strain).Materials and Methods:One thousand two-hundred and eighty-five 4-week-old chicks from two strains: Alexandria local strain (AA) and Lohmann White commercial strain (LL) and their reciprocal crosses obtained from 16 males and 160 females, were used to produce four genetic groups (AA, LL, AL, and LA). Differences among genotypes, direct additive, heterosis, and reciprocal effects were investigated regarding the following traits: Body weight at 4 and 8 weeks and at the age of sexual maturity, age at sexual maturity, egg production, average egg weight, and egg mass during the first 90 days of laying.Results:Statistically significant effects of the genotypes were observed on traits studied. Analysis of direct additive effects showed that AA was superior as a sire strain for improving body weight at early age. For egg traits (age at sexual maturity, egg production, average egg weight, and egg mass), LL was better as a sire strain to improve these traits. Significant positive heterosis percentages were observed for body weight. The crosses (AL and reciprocal) were significantly superior in egg traits (egg production, average egg weight, and egg mass) compared to the local strain. The cross (LA) laid significantly earlier than the local strain. Analysis of reciprocal effects cleared that the local strain could be used as a strain of dam to improve body weight and egg traits.Conclusion:Crossing improved egg production, egg weight, and egg mass in hybrids compared to the local strain.
Highlights
Local chickens are known to own desirable characteristics such as resistance to some diseases, wonderful meat flavor, and taste [1,2]
The local strain, Alexandria (AA), resulted significantly in higher body weight at 8 weeks of age compared to the commercial Lohmann strain (LL) and the other crossbreds (AL and local strain. The cross (LA))
The results demonstrated a statistically significant effect of the genotype on all traits studied
Summary
Local chickens are known to own desirable characteristics such as resistance to some diseases, wonderful meat flavor, and taste [1,2]. Local chicken strains have better survival than the commercial hybrid strain under local production conditions, but they had poor egg production [3]. Fayoumi breed could be incorporated in the crossbreeding programs to improve the genetic resistance to Newcastle disease [5] and a better strategy to upgrade the poor performance of indigenous chicken populations [6]. Commercial hens breeding systems widely use crossbreeding programs to exploit heterosis [7]. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http:// creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated
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