Nigerian Indigenous vs Exotic Hens: the Correlation Factor in Body Weight and Laying Performance

Genetic interrelationship within and between strains was assessed using pure Nigerian normal feathered local, pure exotic and their crossbred hens for age and body weight at first lay, egg weight and egg internal quality traits. 100 layers comprising 20 Black Nera, 20 White Leghorn, 20 Normalfeathered local chicken, 20 White Leghorn x Local cross and 20 Black Nera x Local crosses were randomly selected from a breeding stock of about 500 chickens. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a positive relationshipbetween age and body weight at first egg in all the pure exotic strains. A low but negative relationship between age at first egg and egg weight wasobserved in White Leghorn, local and their crosses. The r values weregenerally low and not significant except in Black Nera (r = 0.515). however,a strong, significant and positive relationship was observed between bodyweight at first egg and egg weight in the local hen (r = 0.765). These results suggest that selection for increased body weight in the local chicken will result in increase in egg size and egg internal quality traits. These values were relatively higher in the crossbred and pure local chicken compared to their pure exotic counterparts.Keywords: Body weight, egg weight, egg quality, traits