Part-Term Performance Traits of Commercial Layer Strains in the Derived Savannah Zone of Nigeria

This study was undertaken to compare production traits of three strains of exotic commercial layers during their first 6 months of egg production and the aim was to know which one of the three strains could be regarded as productive, feed efficient and adaptable in terms of production traits considered. The strains studied are Isa Brown (IB), Bovan Nera (BN) and Dominant Black (DB) while the traits considered are hen-day egg production, feed efficiency and mortality rate. The general means per bird per week are 5.75, 0.13 and 0.007 respectively, for egg production, mortality and feed efficiency. Breed of layers has highly significant (P < 0.01) effect on egg production and feed efficiency. On egg production, Isa Brown recorded 5.96+0.07eggs/bird/week, Bovan Nera had 5.84+0.07eggs/bird/week and were similar but superior to Dominant Black which recorded the least mean values of 5.47+0.07eggs/bird/week. As regards feed efficiency, IB and BN recorded per bird per week 0.007+8.4x10-5 and 0.007+8.4x10-5, respectively. Both were similar and superior to DB with 0.006+8.4x10-5/bird/week. However, there was no significant (P > 0.05) effect of breed on mortality rate. The result indicates that IB and BN genotypes are more productive and excellent converters of feeds to eggs. They utilized feeds given efficiently and are expected to generate more returns on investment within the shortest time after the commencement of laying.