Prof. Maher Hasab El-Nabi Khalil :: Publications:

A crossbreeding experiment involving Baladi Saudi (S) and White Leghorn (L) chickens was carried out in El-Qassim region to evaluate genetically the growth traits of crossbreds by estimating the direct heterosis (HI) and direct (GI) and maternal breed (GM) additive effects. Crossing of S chickens with L ones was associated with significant positive direct heterosis for some growth traits. The percentages of HI ranged from 1.7 to 8% . Under hot climatic conditions, additive maternity (GM) for growth traits was generally significant and in favour of the S breed since chicks produced from LxS matings had better growth and livability traits than those produced from SxL matings. The direct additive effects significantly affected most weights and gains. L-sired chicks had high direct additive effects (GI) compared to the S-sired chicks for all growth and livability traits studied. The estimates of direct additive (GI) and maternal breed additive (GM) lead to the conclusion that it is preferable to use White Leghorn as a sire-breed and Baladi Saudi as a dam-breed in any stratification system of crossbreeding in Saudi Arabia to obtain crossbred hens characterized by high growth rate and early sexual maturity associated with an early age to lay the first egg.