Estimation of crossbreeding parameters for traits of economicimportance in meat type chickens*

A 4 X 4 complete diallel cross involving four broiler namely Male Line SG (Line 1), Male Line SF (Line 2), Coloured Synthetic Male Line ‘CSML’ (Line 3) and Coloured Synthetic Female Line ‘CSFL’ (Line 4) was made to produce sixteen genetic groups. Body weight at 5 and 7 weeks of age were measured in both sexes. Heterosis was significant at 7 weeks of age in both the sexes. The line 4 showed the highest general combing ability (GCA) at 7 weeks of age, which was significantly higher than the GCA effects of other lines in both the sexes. The estimates of specific combining ability (SCA) were positive for body weights for the cross 1 X 4 and 2 X 3 at all the ages. The results of this investigation revealed the importance of GCA for different body weight traits. Therefore, the specialized selection within four parental strains followed by crossbreeding may be advocated for commercial broiler production.