Evaluation of the laying performance of local chickens fed the conventional layer’s mash

Abstract

Twelve (12) local chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) were randomly assigned and confined in twelve (12) pens each measuring 2m x 1m in a parallel group design. They were fed on the conventional layers mash (LM) adlibitumly for a period of eight (8) weeks. Data pertaining to average number of eggs (ANE), average egg weight (AEW), average longitudinal circumference (ALC) and average transverse circumference (ATC) of eggs was recorded. The data collected for each parameter was compared with literature values for performance of local chickens on free range (FR). The mean number of eggs laid by local chickens fed LM was observed to be 258, while the recorded value for those under FR was 225 during the trial period. The AEW from local chickens fed LM was found to be 44.43g against the recorded value of 45g for those under FR. Results indicated 14.8cm as the ALC of eggs from chickens fed LM against the recorded value of 14.6cm for local chickens on FR. The research further revealed 12.7cm as ATC for local chickens fed LM against a value of 12.5cm for those on FR. ANE from local chickens fed LM (258) was significantly(p<0.05) higher than that of local chickens on FR (225). AEW for local chickens fed LM (44.43g) did not differ significantly (p>0.05) from the documented value (45g). Results of the study indicated that both ALC (14.8cm) and ATC (12.7cm for local chickens fed LM did not differ significantly (p>0.05) from the documented values of 14.6cm and 12.5cm respectively for chickens on FR.