Effect of Flock age on Reproductive Traits of Shika Brown® Chicken

The research was conducted to determine the effect of flock age on the reproductive traits of Shika Brown® chicken in Aliero, Nigeria. A total of 1177 eggs were collected from the birds of the African Chicken Genetic Gains (ACGG) project in Kebbi State and incubated at different flock ages (48, 49, 50, and 51 weeks). The experimental design used was the Nested type. The Parameters considered include mean egg weight, fertility, hatchability, hatch weight, and embryonic mortality. The data were analyzed using the Generalized Linear Model of SPSS. Significant interaction (P≤0.05) was observed between flock age and egg weight, fertility, hatchability, embryonic mortality, and hatched weight. The highest egg weight (58.40±0.32g) and hatchability (68.57±1.91%) were recorded at age 51, fertility was highest (94.65±1.75%) at age 50 weeks and lowest (89.52±2.21) at 48 weeks. Egg weight, hatchability, and hatched chicks’ weight were amplified (P≤0.05) with the increase in age (48-51 weeks). Embryonic mortality differs with age (P≤0.05) and was highest at the 48th week and lowest at 51 weeks of age. From the results obtained, it can be deduced that flock age has a great influence on egg weight, fertility, hatchability, embryonic mortality, and hatch weight of Shika Brown® chicken.