EVALUATION OF BODY WEIGHT, FEED CONSUMPTION CURVE AND EGG PRODUCTION CYCLE OF NERA BLACK LAYERS REARED IN SOUTH – SOUTH, NIGERIA

Kperegbeyi, J.I. and Ikperite, S.E.

Department of Agricultural Technology, Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro.

E-mail: jameslovekperegbeyi@gmail.com

Abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of 550 Nera black layers in body weight, feed consumption curve and egg production cycle. The layers were reared in cages for the entire experimental period of 18 months. The layers were fed commercially available layer diet. Results showed that body weight and feed consumption were not significantly different (P>0.05). The increased amount of feed consumed increases the body weight and feed efficiency per dozen eggs of Nera black layers. The result also revealed that the corresponding coefficient of variation ranged from 40.11 and 56.40 in values. Body weight and feed consumption curve rises sharply, reaching a peak at the 12th month and declining at 13th month, thereafter an increase in body weight and feed consumption was observed. The hen day production obtained was lower (65 %) in phase one at 42 weeks of age, while phase two had lower value of 62 % from 43 weeks to 62 weeks of age, followed by phase three which has less than 62% hen day production at 63 weeks up to 72 weeks. It was concluded that body weight, feed consumption curve and egg production cycle of Nera black layers reared in poultry unit of Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, and experienced poor performance as is influenced by erratic feeding. Therefore, it is recommended that layers could be fed ad libitum to enhance daily hen day production and weight gain.