Abstract

This study was undertaken to contribute to the genetic improvement of the indigenous chicken by direct and
reciprocal crossing with an exotic egg type strain Dominant Black (DB). Results indicated significant (P<0.05)
effect of genotype on fertility and hatchability of eggs. Percentage fertility across the genotypes was, 73.00,
76.24, 59.88 and 54.12%, while hatchability was 73.90, 78.30, 70.45 and 70.10%, for DBxDB, DBxFE, FExDB
and FExFE, respectively. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in hatch weight of the chicks. The cross
bred (DBxFE and FExDB) had higher egg weight (51.45g and 51.35g vs. 47.19), total egg number for 100 days
(51 and 53 vs. 40) and hen day production (50.87 and 52.47 vs. 46.05) than the pure bred Fulani Ecotype.
FExDB had significantly higher body weight at first egg (1408g) than DBxFE (1388g). Mortality was
significantly (P<0.05) higher in DBxDB than other genotypes during the laying period. Significant and non
significant differences existed in internal and external egg quality traits across the genotypes.

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