Upgrading the indigenous poultry of Uganda I. The growth rates and feed conversion from hatching to maturity of indigenous poultry crossed with four imported breeds

Abstract

1200 chicks comprising 300 each of Light Sussex × indigenous, Rhode Island Red × indigenous, White Leghorn × indigenous and Black Australorp × indigenous cross-breeds were reared from day old to 24 weeks under good conditions of feeding and management and growth rates, food consumption and feed conversion measured weekly to assess any improvements brought about by cross-breeding the indigenous poultry of Uganda and compare the value of the four imported breeds for this purpose.Growth rates of the indigenous birds were greatly improved by crossing with Light Sussex, Rhode Island Red and Black Australorp cockerels, the Light Sussex cross giving the best results, but the White Leghorn cross not greatly improving the growth rates of the indigenous birds.Crossing with Light Sussex and Rhode Island Red cockerels gave birds with greatly improved feed conversion figures over the indigenous poultry, with the Light Sussex cross again being superior, and nearly as good as the imported breeds. Crossing with Black Australorp and White Leghorn cockerels did not produce birds with improved feed conversion rates over the indigenous poultry.