Growth and reproductive performance of broiler breeders reared to puberty under the open-sided housing in a tropical environment

Context The paradox of broiler breeders combined with harsh environments is of significant concern, particularly to broiler breeder farmers in tropical environments. Despite this, there is a paucity of information on the comparison of the performance of broiler breeders in tropical climates.Aims The trial aimed to evaluate the comparative growth and reproductive performance of three common broiler breeders (Marshall (MS), Arbor Acres (AA) and Ross (RS)) raised in the tropical environment in Nigeria.Methods In total, 240day-old female broiler breeder chicks were used, 80 each strain, in four replicates of 20 birds each. According to the breeders’ guides, the rearing of the chickens was conducted in an open-sided poultry house until puberty. Weekly determination of percentage mortality (%MORT), feed intake (FI), liveweight (LW), weight gain (WG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was performed. Weekly hen-day egg production was monitored in each strain from oviposition.Key results The liveweights of chickens were significantly (P<0.05) affected by strain. Ross and Marshall had higher (P<0.05) weight gain than did Arbor Acre at the first 8weeks of age. The feed intake of Arbor Acres was higher than that of Marshall, which was higher than the values recorded in Ross between the 8th and 16thweeks of age. The FCR of Arbor Acres and Ross was similar but lower (P<0.05) than that of Marshall breeders between Weeks 17 and 25. The rudimentary ovarian weights were higher in Ross than in Arbor Acres at the sixth week of age. However, at Week 20, the ovary weight was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Ross than in Marshall and Arbor Acres. Hen-day egg production of Marshall breeder was higher (P<0.05) than Ross at Weeks 24 and 25.Conclusions The three broiler breeder strains had the potential for better reproductive performance under Nigerian tropical conditions, especially the MS if the liveweight could be harnessed.Implications The findings in this study may support farmers to make the right decision on the choice of broiler breeder strains so as to maximise productivity under conventional open-sided housing in tropical environments.