Comparative Assessment of Growth and Morphometric Characteristics in Naked Neck, Rhode Island Red, and Black Australorp Chickens

This study investigated growth performance and morphometric characteristics in three chicken genotypes namely Naked Neck (NN), Rhode Island Red (RIR), and Black Australorp (BAL). One-hundred and eighty chicks (age, day-old), comprising 60 birds from each genotype, were distributed randomly into three replicates per group, with 20 chicks per replicate, under a completely randomized design. Birds were reared on deep litter for 18 weeks. Hatch weights were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in BAL (30.7 g) and RIR (30.2 g) compared to NN (28.2 g). Body weights showed no significant differences (P > 0.05) from weeks 2 to 4, but BAL and RIR outperformed NN (P < 0.05) from weeks 6 to 10. BAL maintained the highest body weight from weeks 12 to 18 (P < 0.05). Total weight gain (0-18 weeks) was significantly greater in BAL (1567 g), followed by RIR (1491 g) and NN (1219 g). The genotypes had significant effects on both feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR; P < 0.05). At 18 weeks of age, FCR was most efficient in BAL (3.53), followed by RIR (3.83), and NN (4.85). Mortality between weeks 4 and 18 was lowest in NN at 1.7 %, compared with 1.81 % in RIR and 1.84 % in BAL. Significant differences (P < 0.05) among genotypes were also observed in morphometric characters such as shank length, keel length, and breast circumference, with BAL generally showing larger measurements. In conclusion, BAL exhibited superior growth, feed efficiency, and morphometric characteristics, while NN demonstrated lower weight gain but better survivability, highlighting genotype-specific advantages for different production goals.