Combining abilities and heterosis of body weight in a diallel cross from three south african indigenous chicken genotypes

This study was conducted to estimate heterosis effects, specific and general combining abilities existing within growth traits. A 3 x 3 diallel mating system involved three indigenous chicken genotypes namely Potchefstroom Koekoek (P), Venda (V) and Ovambo (O) was used to produce three purebreds (P x P, V x V, O x O), three crossbreds (P x O, P x V, O x V) and three reciprocals (O x P, V x P, V x O). The body masses of 225 chicks recorded at ages 0, 4, 8 and 10 weeks, were used to make an estimation of heterosis, specific combining ability (SCA) and general combining ability (GCA). Results indicated that the crossbreed between P sires and O dams provided the uppermost heterosis for growth traits (30.07%). GCA and SCA showed the importance (P ≤ 0. 05) for body weight from hatch up to 10 weeks of age. P genotype gave the positive effects of GCA and P x V crossbreed resulted in positive effects of SCA. It thus, be concluded that Potchefstroom Koekoek genotype might be used in the crossbreeding with other indigenous chicken genotypes to improve growth traits.