Abstract
Background and Objective: Zambian indigenous chickens play a crucial role in rural livelihoods, yet their genetic potential remains largely unexplored. This study assessed the growth performance and combining abilities of five indigenous chicken strains, Naked Neck, Frizzle-feathered, Short-legged, White Spotted, and Normal Feathered, using a full diallel mating design to generate 25 genetic groups.
Methodology: Body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were evaluated in purebred, crossbred, and reciprocal genetic groups. General combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability (SCA), and reciprocal effects (RE) were estimated to quantify additive, non-additive, and maternal genetic effects, respectively.
Results: Body weight differed significantly (P < 0.05) among genetic groups from hatch to 20 weeks of age. At 20 weeks, the purebred White Spotted and Naked Neck strains exhibited superior growth performance, with BW values of 2229.7 g and 2140.7 g, respectively. Among the reciprocal crosses, F×Na recorded the highest BW (approximately 2329.3 g), followed by crosses involving the White Spotted and Naked Neck strains. Feed intake did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) among genetic groups. Purebred strains recorded ADG values ranging from 10.8 to 17.9 g/day and FCR values between 2.2 and 2.7, whereas crossbred groups achieved higher ADG (>17.9 g/day) with FCR values ranging from 1.7 to 2.7. Reciprocal crosses exhibited the highest ADG (19.3 g/day) and the lowest FCR (1.0). The White Spotted pure strain (WW) showed the highest GCA estimate (128.8), followed by Naked Neck (NaNa, 72.7), whereas the Short-legged strain (SS) recorded the lowest GCA (−175.8). The Short-legged × Naked Neck (SN) cross exhibited the highest SCA estimate (236.1), followed by Naked Neck × Frizzle-feathered (NaF, 184.8) and Short-legged × White Spotted (SW, 128.1). Reciprocal effects were highest in Frizzle-feathered × Naked Neck (FNa, 195.1), White Spotted × Short-legged (WS, 192.8), and Short-legged × Frizzle-feathered (SF, 178.1).
Conclusion: Crossbred and reciprocal genetic groups consistently outperformed purebred strains, demonstrating strong heterotic responses and favorable genetic combinations for enhanced growth performance and feed efficiency. These findings highlight the potential of exploiting both additive and non-additive genetic effects in breeding programs aimed at improving productivity while supporting the conservation and sustainable utilization of Zambia's indigenous chicken genetic resources.
How to Cite
In Press Note
This Research Article has been accepted for publication in the International Journal of Poultry Science on July 13, 2026. Its current status is In Press, and it is undergoing the publication process. The final published version, including complete bibliographic details, will become available on the journal's website following completion of the publication process.