Strain and Sex Effects on Productive and Slaughter Performance of Local Egyptian and Canadian Chicken Strains

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of strain and sex on productive performance and slaughter traits of chickens. A total of 1951 one day old chicks of three Canadian dual purpose strains (Shaver A, B and C) and two Egyptian strains (Salam and Mandarah) were used. Productive performance measured from one day old to 12 weeks of age and slaughter traits were recorded for cocks at 12 weeks of age. Results revealed that strain effect was clear for Shaver C strain for body weight, weight gain, feed consumption. In addition Shaver C had better feed conversion, dressing, fleshing, liver, glycogen, tenderness percentages but recorded the highest percentages for abdominal and total fat content as well as lowest testicular weight of cocks. Shaver B showed higher percentages for blood loss, feather, bones, gizzard and spleen percentages but Shaver A showed the highest percentages for pH content, ashes, color and water holding capacity. Sex effect showed superiority of males over females for body weight allover study period, weight gain during 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks and feed consumption during 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks of age, while sex effect was not clear for feed conversion. Shaver C strain had the best averages for most productive and slaughter traits.