Estimation of parameters and genetic trend of economic traits in native chickens of West Azerbaijan Province

The data of this study were collected by indigenous chicken breeding centers in the West Azerbaijan for 11 generations. The (co) variance components, heritabilitys, correlations between traits and breeding values were estimated by multi-trait animal model using WOMBAT software. The genetic trends of traits over 11 generations of selection, using average function of breeding values per generations were estimated. The highest and lowest heritability were estimated for body weight at birth (0.53±0.01) and egg number in the first quarter of production period (0.07 ± 0.02), respectively. The highest and lowest genetic correlation were estimated between body weight at 8 and 12 weeks (0.91) and egg number and egg weight (-0.14), respectively. Genetic trends of body weight at birthday, 8 and 12 weeks of age, at sexual maturity, egg number and egg weight were estimated, -0.03, 3.41, 5.25, 0.99, 0.12 and -0.07 respectively. The results according to the estimated parameters showed that improvement of the mentioned traits are possible by selection.