Genetic analysis of body conformation and feed efficiency characteristics in a selected line of Rhode Island red chicken

Abstract

This investigation aimed to evaluate genetics of body conformation and feed efficiency characteristics in a selected line of Rhode Island Red chicken taking 100 numbers of single hatched out pedigreed chicks at Central Avian Research Institute (India). Data was analyzed by least squares analysis of variance. Least squares means of body weight, shank length, keel length, breast angle, body Weight Gain (WG), Feed Consumption (FC) and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) were estimated at various weeks of age. Sires of the chicks significantly (p<0.05) influenced the estimates of all the traits throughout the ages with a few exceptions. Chicks’ sex also affected (p<0.05) the estimates of all the traits excepting 4th week body conformation traits, FC at 6th week onwards and 6th week FCR only. Male birds demonstrated better estimates than females throughout the ages. The FC and 16th week FCR also varied (p<0.05) among different feeding groups. All the traits excluding FC were heritable at variable magnitude. The estimates of genetic and phenotypic correlations coefficients were positive in trends with high magnitude among the intra-week body conformation traits and least to high magnitude among various feed efficiency traits. Only WG and FCR were invariably negatively correlated with a range of low to high genetic correlation coefficients. These research-outcomes may serve as base information to the breeders and academicians.