COMPARATIVE CARCASS TRAITS AND ANTI-BODY RESPONSE IN FOUR PHENOTYPES OF NAKED NECK CHICKENS - M. Shafiq; A. Mahmud; J. Hussain; A. Basheer; S. Ahmad; M. T. Khan; H. M. Anwar ul Haq (Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 2019)
A study was executed to evaluate the effect of four phenotypes (black, white/black, light brown and dark brown) of sexed Naked-Neck chicken on carcass characteristics and anti-body response. In total, 320-day old chicks (160♂, 160♀) comprising 80 from each plumage color, were randomly assigned to 8 experimental groups in 4 (phenotypes) × 2 (sexes) according to Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five replicate each and eight birds per replicate. Birds were reared for 20 weeks. At the end of the 20th week, 5 birds from each experimental group were selected randomly and slaughtered to collect the data regarding slaughter traits and anti-body response. Live weight (g), dressing %, liver weight %, gizzard weight %, heart weight %, intestinal weight (g) and intestinal length (cm) were evaluated. Light brown plumage color birds indicated significantly (P≤0.05) enhanced live weight and dressing% whereas black plumage color birds showed higher intestinal weight %. Among different sexes, significantly (P≤0.05) higher live weight (g), dressing %, liver weight % and intestinal length in male whereas gizzard weight% and intestinal weight % was found to be greater in female. Interaction of sexes with phenotypes clearly demonstrated maximum live weight in light brown males, dressing % in white black males, liver weight % in dark brown males and intestinal length in black plumage color males. Gizzard and heart weight % were found to be higher in light brown females and intestinal weight % remained higher in white black and black plumage females. It can be concluded that light brown phenotype had better carcass characteristics such as enhanced live weight and dressing percentage. Antibody titer against NDV was higher in light and dark brown phenotypes. Regarding sexes, males showed overall better carcass characteristics than female birds.
Keywords: journal article; Naked-Neck; Phenotype; Sex; Carcass Characteristics