Comparative Study of Strain, Location and Seasonal Effects on Reproductive Adaptability of Two Parent-Stock Layer Flocks in Ibadan, Nigeria

Two exotic strains of layer chicken were evaluated for adaptability to location and season. An array of 10-year records on hatching  parameters from 18 batches each of Bovan nera and Isa brown were utilized. The study design was Completely Randomized Design (CRD)  in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial treatment arrangement involving Strain, Location and Season. Measurements were taken on number of eggs  set, number of eggs fertile, number of day-old chicks hatched, number of unhatched eggs and number of rejected day-old chicks.  Data were analyzed for effects of single factors, and interactions of strain, location and season. Tukey’s HSD test was employed for mean  separation (P <0.05). The Statistical Analytical Software (SAS) version 9.3 was used for analysis. Results revealed significant (P <0.05) strain  by locational effect on percent eggs set (PES), fertility of eggs set (FES) and hatchability of eggs set (HES) (P = 0.0002-0.0240); while  strain by seasonal effect was strong (P =0.0001-0.0410) on fertility of eggs set (FES), hatchability of eggs set (HES), pullet chicks hatched  on eggs set (PDS) and hatching rejects on eggs set (HRJ). Adaptability index of between strain, within season, between locational  differences for hatching traits, exposed Isa brown with smaller mean difference as better adapted to Sanusi than Ajanla (14.56 vs 3.92, %),  while Bovan nera exposed better mean adaptability to Ajanla than Sanusi (0.71 vs 9.54, %). Also, between strain, within location,  between seasonal differences revealed Bovan nera as better adapted with smaller mean difference to the wet season than dry season  (0.75 vs 13.15), while Isa Brown showed better adaptability to the dry season than wet season (6.34 vs 2.47). The two-factor interaction  model could be employed for quick practical selection for adaptability.