GROWTH PERFORMANCE TRAITS AND EGG QUALITY OF INDIGENOUS YORUBA ECOTYPE CHICKENS CROSSBRED WITH LOHMANN BROWN COCKS

This study evaluates the growth performance, body linear parameters and egg quality of Yoruba ecotype chicken their F1 F2 crosses using Lohmann brown cocks under a low-input management system. Ten were mated with thirty indigenous hens to obtain progenies. also back Also, ten male 30 female as basis for comparison. Mating was done at 1:3 in all groups. Incubation hatching naturally properly monitored. After hatching, chicks intensively managed 8 weeks wooden cages, after which transferred battery where they raised till maturity. Initial weight 24 weeks, average daily feed intake, initial laying first recorded appropriately, while (shank length, comb keel beak neck length drumstick) measured standard procedures. Some selected included weight, breadth, shell albumen weight. Weight significantly (P < 0.05) higher birds than birds, had values compared birds. The thickness, height, yolk showed that progenies performed better growth, chicken. It can, therefore, be concluded crossbreeding breed is beneficial improving performance parameters, thereby enhancing productivity.