JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND VETERINARY MEDICINE
Integrity Research Journals
ISSN: 2536-7099
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/JASVM
Start Year: 2016
Email: jasvm@integrityresjournals.org
Breed differences in early growth performance of broiler chickens
https://doi.org/10.31248/JASVM2025.595 | Article Number: 783D87783 | Vol.10 (5) - October 2025
Received Date: 16 August 2025 | Accepted Date: 23 September 2025 | Published Date: 30 October 2025
Authors: Amusan S. A.* , Popoola M. A. , Bolarinwa M. O. , Ajibola H. O. , Jeremiah T. B. and Ogedengbe O. T.
Keywords: Broiler, breed, body measurements; correlation
Poultry growth performance varies across commercial broiler breeds, and understanding these differences can guide breed selection and management strategies. This study evaluated the effect of breed on growth traits in Arbor Acres, Cobb 500, Marshall, and Ross 308 broilers raised under standardised feed and housing conditions. A total of 100 chicks (25 per breed) were monitored from week 3 to week 5. Body weight and linear body measurements were collected weekly and analysed using the General Linear Model in SAS, while Pearson’s correlation was applied to assess associations between traits. Results showed significant breed differences (p<0.05) in body weight, body length, chest circumference, keel length, and wing length. Arbor Acres consistently recorded the highest body weights (762.8 g, 1623.1 g, and 2184.6 g) at weeks 3, 4, and 5, respectively. Across breeds, body weight was strongly and positively correlated with all linear measurements. These findings indicate that Arbor Acres exhibits superior growth performance under the tested conditions and that linear measurements can serve as practical predictors of body weight, providing farmers with a simple tool for selection and management.
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