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Mathematical models provide valuable information for livestock improvement programmes. In this study, we evaluated the ability of five mathematical models (3P and 4P Gompertz, 3P and 4P logistic and neural network) to predict the growth of six tropically adapted dual purpose (TADP) chicken breeds (Fulani, FUNAAB Alpha, Kuroiler, Noiler, Sasso and Shika-Brown) under on-station and on-farm in Nigeria. Data for body weight were collected every 14 days from 1939 birds reared on-station, and every 28 days from 58,639 birds reared on-farm. Parameters used to evaluate the growth models were the adjusted coefficient of determination (AdjR2), Akaike's information criterion (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC) and root mean square error (RMSE). The AdjR2 for Gompertz 3P was higher than or equal to the AdjR2 for logistics 3P, Gompertz 4P and logistics 4P but was equal to or lower than the AdjR2 for the neural network (NN) for all TADP chickens raised on-station. Based on the goodness-of-fit criteria, Gompertz 3P had the best predictive values (AdjR2 = 0.989–0.998) for TADP chickens raised on-station, while logistic 3P was the best-fit model for TADP chickens raised on-farm. In conclusion, non-linear models and NN models yielded a good fit with the age-weight data of TADP chickens on-station and on-farm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The FUNAAB Alpha broiler, a tropical chicken breed developed in Nigeria, has three genotypes which are normal feather (NF), naked neck (NN), and frizzle feather (FF). This 56-day study investigated the effect of genotype on growth, fear-related behaviours, and walking ability of FUNAAB Alpha broiler chickens. Two hundred and four (204) chickens (68 NF, 68 NN, and 68 FF chickens; 34 males and 34 females per genotype) were used for the experiment. Body weight and growth rate were measured on days 27 and 56. The level of fear using the tonic immobility test (TI) on days 23 and 51, and emergence from a dark box on days 25 and 53 were measured. Walking ability was assessed using the latency to lie test on day 54. There was a genotype effect on body weight on days 27 and 56 (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01, respectively) and growth rate from days 1–27 and days 1–56 (p = 0.02 and p = 0.03, respectively). Of the three genotypes, the NN chickens were lighter in body weight, while the NF and FF had similar body weights on days 27 and 56 (p = 0.64 and p = 0.85, respectively), and growth rate from days 1–27 (p = 0.79). The male chickens were heavier on days 27 and 56 (p = 0.04 and p = 0.04, respectively) and had a better growth rate from days 1–27 (p = 0.03). The duration of tonic immobility on days 23 and 51 was similar in all three genotypes. The latency to emerge from a dark box on day 25 was not affected (p = 0.70) by genotype, but it took the NF chickens a longer time (138.20 ± 18.70 s) to emerge from the dark box on day 53. The walking ability of the birds was not affected (p = 0.83) by the genotype. However, male chickens had better (p = 0.01) walking ability by standing for a longer time than the females during the latency to lie test. In conclusion, the NF and FF chickens were heavier than the NN on days 27 and 56, and the NN and FF chickens were less fearful than the NF chickens on day 53. The FF genotype is recommended for meat production due to its better growth and less fearfulness. [Display omitted] • FUNAAB Alpha broiler chicken is a slow-growing breed developed in Nigeria. • Naked neck and frizzle feather chickens are less fearful than normal feather chickens. • Male FUNAAB Alpha broiler chickens had a better walking ability than female chickens. • Frizzle feather chickens had a better growth performance and were less fearful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Live bird markets (LBMs) contain pool of various birds of different breeds, species, types, and ages, and from different sources and have been identified as impending cores of diseases' incubation and transmission. From the point of food safety concern, it is highly empirical to document the health status and possible disease invasion in such markets to control the market for disease-free chicken so as to ensure supply of safe food for the consumers. One hundred twenty birds comprising of exotic and indigenous breeds of cockerels and layers were surveyed in three LBMs within Abeokuta Metropolis, Ogun State, Nigeria, using a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of breed, types of chickens, and market. Data were collected on pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (RR), body temperature (BT) for vital signs; packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb), and red blood cell (RBC) for hematological indices; and basophil, eosinophil, neutrophil, lymphocytes, and heterophil-lymphocytes (H:L) ratio for white blood cell differentials (WBCD) and analyzed using ANOVA. Indigenous chickens and cockerels recorded highest (p < 0.05) PR (224.5 bpm and 224.63 bpm, respectively). Market had significant (p < 0.05) influence on RR and BT of the chickens. Chicken types had no significant (p > 0.05) influence on PCV, RBC, and Hb while breed influenced (p < 0.05) the RBC. Market had significant influence on all the hematological parameters. Breed and chicken types significantly (p < 0.05) influenced white blood cell differentials. Indigenous breed of chickens had the highest (p < 0.05) eosinophil (1.67%), neutrophil (35.83%), lymphocyte (58.00%), monocyte (4.5%), and H:L (0.71), while cockerels recorded highest (p < 0.05) of 1.5%, 38.23%, 56.13%, 4.13%, and 0.77%, respectively, for these parameters. The study concluded that breed and types of chickens had significant influence on vital signs. Also, market had influence on RR, BT, hematology, neutrophil, and H:L ratio of the birds sold at LBMs. Therefore, markets should be controlled for the right breed and type of chickens for the supply and consumption of healthy chicken and chicken products (meat and egg). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]