Evaluation of immunological performance and production traits of two Saudi chicken lines and their crosses with foreign breed

Poultry performance largely depends on their genetic pool and feeding strategies. Through genetic crossing techniques, researchers could alter genetic makeup, which is reflected on the birds’ requirements, production and immunological performances. For the present study, four hundred pullets at 18 weeks of age were divided into four groups of one hundred pullets each; Hajar1, Hajar2, H1Hi cross, and H2Hi cross lines. Birds of each line were distributed among 20 cages (replicates) each of five birds. The pullets were evaluated for general performance including egg production, mortality rate, and egg characteristics, as well as Newcastle disease (ND) antibody titer. The results of this study provided evidences that egg production, egg mass and feed efficiency were significantly better (P<0.05) in cross line 2 (Hajar 2 with Hi-Sex males), while egg weight was significantly greater (P<0.05) in cross line 1 (Hajar 1 with Hi-Sex males). Immunological response of the four lines showed that all breeds were in protective limit, however, Hajar 1 had the lowest ND antibody titer (P<0.10). It is concluded that crossing with exotic breed can improve the productive performance of the local birds of Saudi Arabia without compromising their immunity response.