Upgrading the indigenous poultry of Uganda II. Fertility, hatchability and chick mortality

Abstract

An investigation was carried out into the fertility, hatchability and chick mortality levels of the progeny of indigenous poultry of Uganda crossed with cockerels of four imported breeds, these being Light Sussex, Rhode Island Red, White Leghorn and Black Australorp.Altogether 11,888 eggs were incubated and 1584 day-old chicks reared in the production of these data.The percentage fertility of eggs from females of all four cross-breeds both when mated to cross-bred and pure-bred imported cockerels was significantly higher than that of eggs from the pure Rhode Island Red breed. Among the four cross-breeds, the Light Sussex × indigenous birds gave the highest fertility figures.The percentage hatchability of eggs from females of all four cross-breeds when mated with cross-bred males was significantly higher than that of eggs from the Rhode Island Red breed and when mated with cockerels of imported breeds was higher, but not significantly so, than that of the Rhode Island Red. Among the four cross-breeds, the Black Australorp × indigenous birds produced eggs with the highest hatchability figures.Chick mortality rates of the four cross-breeds from 0 to 20 weeks ranged from 15·7 to 20·0%, the causes of mortality being listed.