Does Strain Matter in Laying Performance in Improvement of Poultry Business Entrepreneurs, Delta State Nigeria

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to compare the egg production performance of three-layer strains, namely Hyline, Nera black and ISA brown. The number of birds used for the study was 50 pullets per strain. The 50 pullets in each strain were randomly assigned into five pens/units of 10 birds each thus giving a total of fifteen pens under randomised complete design (CRD). They were placed under the same treatment diet, feed and water were provided ad libitum. The short-term egg production recorded which includes age at first egg, weight of first egg, percentage hen-day egg production, hen-housed production and total number of eggs produced were taken from the 20th-28th week of the laying pullets. The data collected/obtained were subjected to analysis of variance. Result showed significant differences (p<0.05) among the three strains in all egg production parameters except weight at first egg and laying mortality. The Bovan Nera black strain had the highest value in hen day egg production, hen-house egg production and total number of eggs than hyline and ISA brown strains which had similar values. The Bovan Nera black strain was also the fastest to start laying as indicated by lowest value in age at first egg. In all, these traits exhibited by the Bovan Nera black are of much economic significance in the off-farm poultry product marketing, which entrepreneurs are mostly concerned with. In conclusion, Nera black strains is more ideal for egg production compared to the hyline and ISA brown strains.