Variation in Body Weight and Biometric Traits of Exotic (Nicholas White) and Nigerian Locally Adapted Turkeys Reared in Humid Tropics

Abstract

The performance of animal in a given environment differs between and within species, breeds and strains and genotypes, as a result of genetic variation. A total of 200 turkeys comprising 50 exotic (Nicholas white) and 50 each of Nigerian locally adapted turkeys (black, white and lavender) was used to investigate genetic variation in body weight and some biometric traits of exotic turkey and Nigerian locally adapted turkey at the Turkey Breeding unit of the Teaching and Research Farm of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma Edo State, Nigeria. The growth performance of the experimental birds was recorded biweekly throughout the period of the experiment. Genotype had significant effect (p<0.05) on body weight in all the weeks with exotic turkey consistently having higher (p<0.05) body weight throughout the experiment. The black plumage colour turkey performed better in body weight than the other two plumage colours of Nigerian locally adapted turkeys but was not significant (p>0.05). Similarly, exotic turkey has the highest (p<0.05) body length, body height, wing length, wing span and thigh length in most of the weeks of the experiment. Among the Nigerian locally adapted turkeys, black plumage turkey performed better (p<0.05) in most of the measured biometric traits than white and lavender plumage colour turkeys. The exotic turkey with higher body weight and biometric traits can be used to upgrade Nigerian locally adapted turkeys to obtain tropically adapted broiler turkey breed and also selection preferential should be given local black turkey for genetic improvement.