Estimation of Genetic Parameters and Inbreeding effects of Economic Traits in native chicken under Short Term Selection

Iranian native hens are a valuable genetic resource, due to their adaptability to harsh conditions of husbandry and environment in rural area. The genetic parameters for various traits of economic importance were studied in an Iranian Native chicken population under short term selection for egg production and body weight for over 2 years. The parameters studied were body weight at day old (BW1), 8 weeks (BW8) and 12 weeks (BW12), the weight of first egg (EGGW1) and egg weight at 30 weeks of age (EGGW30), the average number of stock eggs per day (EGG/DAY). They showed mostly moderate to high heritability estimates. Higher heritability estimates were obtained for body weight traits. Therefore, selection for body weight traits before mature age will result in gain in egg weight traits and it will be useful for breeding plans. The average inbreeding coefficients for all birds were and ranged from zero to 0.15. In this population, 34.5% of birds were inbred, with a mean inbreeding coefficient of 0.28. Inbreeding as variable has no significant effect on EGGW1; however, age of sex maturity as variable has significant effect (p<0.001) on EGGW1. [Ardeshir Bahmanimehr, Ghafar Eskandari, Mohammad Pakizeh. Estimation of Genetic Parameters and Inbreeding effects of Economic Traits in native chicken under Short Term Selection. Life Sci J 2012;9(4):16351638] (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 250