Genetic variability of body composition traits in Sudanese Native large Beladi Chicken

This work was conducted to estimate the genetic and phenotypic parameters for body weight, carcass traits and visceral portions of the native large Beladi chicken. Data set consisted of 1114 observations obtained from 50 sires and 150 dams were analyzed using Harvey’s SLMLMW (1990) to obtain variance and covariance components for genetic parameters estimates. The average body weight at twelve weeks of age (800.74± 162.98g) was lower than that of exotic strains at slaughter age. The results exhibited significant differences between sexes for all traits measured with males being heavier than females. As proportion of body weight at 12 weeks of age the hot carcass weight was 63.30 percent, whereas breast, thigh, drum and leg constituted 24.60, 15.50, 14.70 and 30.10 percents of the cold carcass weight respectively. Moreover, the abdominal fat, gizzard, heart, liver and shanks represented 0.72, 2.4, 0.55, 2.38 and 4.04 percents of live body weight at 12 weeks of age respectively. The heritability estimates for body weight at 12 weeks of age and carcass traits ranged from moderate to high. This indicates the possibility of improving these traits in local chicken using selection procedures. The heritability estimates for visceral portions were low. The genetic correlation estimates for body weight and carcass traits, body weight and abdominal fat and carcass weight and abdominal fat were high and positive. Therefore attempts to improve body weight in indigenous chicken may lead to concomitant increase in carcass traits including abdominal fat. Keyword: Body composition, Genetic variability, Native chicken.