Utilization of Genotype x Season Interaction in the Production of Layer Chickens in the Hot-humid Tropical Environment

Abstract

Genotype x Environment interaction described as change in the relative performance of a genotype in two or more environments is a factor in the breeding of chickens in the tropics. Cock weight, hen weight, Hen-house production, egg weight, fertility of eggs set, hatchability of eggs set and pullet day-old chicks hatched was studied to apply the presence of this interaction for improving chicken production in South-west Nigeria. Interaction was investigated by the Factorial ANOVA method of SAS (1999). Results revealed that interaction in day-old chicks production between the two genotypes was due mainly to change in scale and change in rank in the late dry season. The knowledge of genotype-season interaction could be useful in the planning of stocking dates of commercial layer chicken enterprises in the environment.