Body Weight Heterosis in the Local X Exotic Crossbred Chicken

Abstract

Generally the Nigerian local chicken appears smaller in size the most exotic breeds. Oluyemi and Oyenuga (1971) observed from their studies that the local chicken was inferior in post-hatch weight to its crosses and other exotic breeds. Crossbreeding has been recognized as the major tool for the development of present day commercial breeds of chicken and the upgrading of genetically poor local stock ( Smith,1964 and Sheridan, 1981). The importance of this breeding system is the resultant hybrid vigour or heterosis of the crossbred progeny relative to their parents.