Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 23 ISSUE 1
Written by Opeyemi Eyitayo AYINDE, Babatola Olasunkanmi AGBOOLA, Tohib Oyeyode OBALOLA

The Shika brown layer is a Nigeria indigenous hybrid bred to solve the problem of adaptability to the local weather condition of the exotic layer strains (Isa brown and Harco black). Data were collected from the experiment conducted using 117 point of lays obtained from the three genotypes. Costs incurred on inputs such as feeds and drugs along with income generated from eggs produced including the returns from the sale of spent layers were considered for comparative economic analyses. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), profitability and productivity analyses were employed in data analysis. The ANOVA showed significant differences (p<0.05) in the average body weight and egg production of Shika brown, Isa brown and Harco black. Shika brown had the highest gross margin and a profitability index of 0.38 compared to Isa brown and Harco black. The results showed that the three layer strains are all good converters of feed to eggs, though Isa brown seems to be more productive. Shika brown had the lowest mortality of 10.3 % compared to that of Isa brown and Harco black of 23 % and 26 % respectively, thus, showed hardy and less susceptibility distinctiveness to diseases. The need to give increased preference to Shika brown chicken based on its adaptability and profitability indices is recommended.

[Read full article] [Citation]