| Popis: |
Phenotypic characterization of two phenotypes (normal feathered and naked neck) and two lines (white and brown) of local-exotic crossbred layer chickens was undertaken at 22 and 36 weeks of age. A total of 240 birds were randomly selected for the experiment. The sample comprised 120 males and 120 females with 60 birds per line (brown and white) and 30 birds per phenotype per line (naked neck and normal feathered). Data were collected twice at 22 weeks (during the period of sexual maturity) and at 36 weeks (peak performance). Qualitative traits (eye colour, comb type, comb colour, ear lobe colour, plumage colour, beak colour and shank colour), body weight (BW), and morphometric traits namely body width (BWd), body length (BL), shank length (SL), shank circumference (SC), comb length (CL) and wattle length (WL) were measured. Data on BW and morphometric traits were subjected to ANOVA and descriptive analysis was used for the qualitative traits assessed. Male chickens had significantly (p |
