MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS OF SEXUAL MATURITY CHARACTERISTICS OF COCKERELS OF BOVAN NERA AND ISA BROWN PARENT STOCK STRAINS IN IBADAN NIGERIA

Abstract

The objective of the study was to elucidate some of the factors that affect growth and development of breeder cockerels on deep-litter system in the environment. Sexual maturity characteristics in cockerel are important breeding and management indices. Ten records namely cockerel weight at 10 weeks (CW10Wks), cockerel weight at first spermatozoa production (CWFS), cockerel weight at full maturity (CWFM), Feed uptake at 10 Weeks (FU10Wks), Feed uptake at first spermatozoa production (FUFS), feed uptake at full maturity (FUFM), Age at first spermatozoa production (AFS). Age at full maturity (AFM). Batch and genotype were extracted from the record books of a popular Parent stock breeding farm in Ibadan, Nigeria. The study materials were Bovan Nera and Isa Brown Strains. Data were grouped into seasons, maturity group and genotype before they were subjected to ANOVA (p<0.05) and multivariate analysis using SAS (V8) and SPSS (17.0) softwares. AFM differ significantly (p<0.05) between genotypes in the wet season but was reversed in rank between the two maturity status groups in the environment. Principal Factor Analysis (PFA) elicited Age/maturity status/batch, Cockerel weight, random environmental, Full maturity and Seasonal Factors as important for breeding and management of cockerels on the deep litter in the environment. The lack of significant difference in CWFM between genotypes was an indication of the high level of adaptability of both genotypes to the humid environment. Keywords: Age at first spermatozoa production, Cockerel weight at 10 Weeks, Cockerel weight at first spermatozoa production, Early maturity characteristics, hot-humid areas.