Comparative Application of Nonlinear Models to Describe the Growth of Broilers and Noiler Chicken Strains
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56919/usci.2652.002Keywords:
Nonlinear models, growth, broilers, Noiler, chickensAbstract
Growth pattern is crucial in the rearing of meat-type chickens, as it enables managerial decisions at specific development phases and guides improvement programs. This study used four nonlinear (Gompertz, Logistic, Weibull and Brody) models to fit the growth of two commercial broiler (Cobb 500 and Marshall) and one indigenous (Noiler) chicken strains reared in the semi-arid environment of Sokoto. Body weight (BW) was recorded weekly starting from the first week until 56 days of age, and the average daily gain was computed from the records. The model fit was evaluated based on the coefficient of determination (R2), Akaike information criterion (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), root mean square error (RMSE), and mean square error (MSE). The results showed that the Marshall strain had superior growth performance (asymptote body weight >3000 g and BW at inflection of 1334), whereas the Noiler strain showed higher variability in BW (CV of 21.7%). Estimates of maturity differed across models, with the Weibull and Brody models estimating the highest and lowest rates, respectively. The age at inflection varied from 5.5 weeks for Cobb (Gompertz) to 8 weeks for Marshall (Weibull). Overall, the Gompertz model best described the growth of the three chicken strains, with the lowest AIC, BIC, RMSE, MSE residuals as well as the highest R2. These results enhance our understanding of chicken growth dynamics reared in semi-arid environments and identify strain-specific critical ages of growth to guide feeding strategies for the three strains. Future studies extending through 12 weeks or beyond are recommended to validate the asymptote and to improve the predictive reliability of the fitted growth functions.
References
Achimugu, J., Yakubu, A., Musa, I. S., Omogiade, Idahor, K. O., Jayeoba, O., J. and Hussaini, Y. I. (2024). Predictive model evaluation for growth, feed intake and under-wing temperature in two broiler chicken strains under two housing conditions. UMAB PoLSMER, 2(2), 57-67. Retrieved from https://e-biblio.univ-mosta.dz/server/api/core/bitstreams/dc1d52f5-a78a-4e29-9e3b-ffda0953e3b1/content.
Adamu, J., Shuaibu, A. Y. and Raji, A. O. (2021). Growth characteristics of Noiler chickens as determined by nonlinear algorithms. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production, 48(5), 12-19. DOI: https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.v48i5.3183
Aggrey, S. E. (2002). Comparison of three nonlinear and spline regression models for describing chicken growth curves. Poultry Science, 81(12), 1782-1788. . DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ps/81.12.1782
Adenaike, A. S., Akpan, U., Udoh, J. E., Wheto, M., Durosaro, S. O., Sanda, A. J. and Ikeobi, C. O. N. (2017). Comparative evaluation of growth functions in three broiler strains of Nigerian chickens. Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science, 40(4), 611-620. Retrieved from http://www.journalsjd.upm.edu.my/resources/files/Pertanika PAPERS/JTAS Vol. 40 (4) Nov. 2017/13 JTAS Vol 40 (4) Nov 2017_0964-2016_pg611-620.pdf.
Ajayi, F. O., Bamidele, O., Hassan, W. A., Ogundu, U., Yakubu, A., Alabi, O. O., Akinsola, O.M., Sonaiya, E. B. and Adebambo, O. A. (2020). Production performance and survivability of six dual-purpose breeds of chicken under smallholder farmers' management practices in Nigeria. Archives Animal Breeding, 63(2), 387-408. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-63-387-2020
Akinsola, O. M., Sonaiya, E. B., Bamidele, O., Hassan, W. A., Yakubu, A., Ajayi, F. O., Ogundu, U., Alabi, O.O. and Adebambo, O. A. (2021). Comparison of five mathematical models that describe growth in tropically adapted dual-purpose breeds of chicken. Journal of Applied Animal Research, 49(1), 158-166. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09712119.2021.1915792
Akramullah, M., Kurnianto, E., Lestari, D. A., Setiatin, E. T. and Setiaji, A. (2025). Evaluation of Logistic, Gompertz, and Weibull models for describing growth curves in three varieties of Kedu Chickens. Journal of Advanced Veterinary Research, 15(5), 635-640. Retrieved from https://advetresearch.com/index.php/AVR/article/view/2356.
Animashahun, R. A., Alabi, O. O., Okeniyi, F. A., Olawoye, S. O., Shoyombo, A. J. and Falana, B. M. (2022). Performance and blood profile of Noiler chickens fed diets containing graded levels of Parkia biglobosa leaf meal. Food Research, 6(5), 256-265. Retrieved from https://www.myfoodresearch.com/uploads/8/4/8/5/84855864/_27__fr-2021-475_aminashahun.pdf. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26656/fr.2017.6(5).475
Ayoola, M. A., Ogunsipe, S. H. and Dada, O. A. (2022). Effect of maize replacement with coconut cake on growth performance, carcass characteristics and cost analysis of Noiler strain of chicken. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production, 49(5), 24-29. . DOI: https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.v49i5.3760
Bamidele, O., Sonaiya, E. B., Adebambo, O. A. and Dessie, T. (2020). On-station performance evaluation of improved tropically adapted chicken breeds for smallholder poultry production systems in Nigeria. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 52, 1541-1548. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-019-02158-9
Bo, H. X., Hanh, H. Q., Hue, D. T., Hoa, D. V., Hoa, N. T., Cong, N. T., Nguyen, T. V., Dang, T. N. and Luc, D. D. (2025). Modeling growth curves to estimate the suitable slaughter age for the ostriches (Struthio camelus). Tropical Animal Health and Production, 57(4), 199. . DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-025-04452-1
Chimezie, V. O., Ayeni, B. D., Akande, B., Akintunde, A. O. and Ademola, A. A. (2025). Assessment of genetic diversity in Funaab alpha, Kuroiler, and Noiler chicken genotypes. Egyptian Journal of Animal Production, 62(3), 147-159. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21608/ejap.2025.358142.1102
Durosaro, S. O., Jeje, O. S., Ilori, B. M., Iyasere, O. S. and Ozoje, M. O. (2021). Application of non-linear models in description of growth of dual purpose FUNAAB Alpha chickens. Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics, 122 (2) 147–158.
Gous, R. M., Walters, H., Rochell, S. J. and Emmans, G. C. (2024). Evaluation of the potential growth and body composition of the Cobb 700 genotype. British Poultry Science, 65(3), 265-272. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2024.2328680
Ilori, B. M., Akano, K., Peters, S. O., Durosaro, S. O., Olayiwola, S. F., Oguntade, D. O. and Ozoje, M. O. (2022). Growth description of pure and crossbred turkeys using non-linear models in hot and humid tropical environment. Slovak Journal of Animal Science, 55(1–4), 1-13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36547/sjas.775
Jibrillah, A. M., Ja'afar, M. and Choy, L. K. (2019). Monitoring vegetation change in the dryland ecosystem of Sokoto, northwestern Nigeria using geoinformatics. The Indonesian Journal of Geography, 51(1), 9-17. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22146/ijg.33207
Mosobalaje, M. A. (2022). Comparative Performance of Noiler, Isa Brown and Nera Black Strains of Chicken as Replacement Pullets. Tropical Animal Production Investigations, 25(1), 09-14. Retrieved from https://journals.ui.edu.ng/index.php/tapi/article/view/1767.
Mouffok, C., Semara, L., Ghoualmi, N., and Belkasmi, F. (2019). Comparison of some nonlinear functions for describing broiler growth curves of Cobb 500 strain. Poultry Science Journal, 7(1) 51-61.
Obienyem, J.N., Ezebo, R.O., Ozoh, C.N. and Omumuabuike, J.N. (2023). A comparative study of the performance of Noiler and broiler birds in tropical humid zone (South-East Nigeria). IDOSR Journal of Applied Sciences, 8(3) 147-150. DOI: https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSR/2023/10.2.1421
Ogunpaimo, O., Wheto, M., Ojoawo, H., Adebambo, A., Adebambo, O. and Durosaro, S. (2020). Use of growth models to predict the body weight of FUNNAB Alpha (fα) broiler, its crossbreds and two other exotic broiler chickens at early stage of growth. FUDMA Journal of Sciences, 4(1), 686-694. https://fjs.fudutsinma.edu.ng/index.php/fjs/article/view/90.
Oleforuh-Okoleh, V. U. and Wagoha, R. (2017). Variations in growth performance traits and economic analysis of two Nigerian indigenous chicken strains and their crossbred. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production, 44(4), 216-224. DOI: https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.v44i4.625
Osaiyuwu, O. H., Oyebanjo, M. O., Coker, O. M. and Akinyemi, M. O. (2024). Comparison of mathematical models describing the growth of tropically adapted Ross 308 commercial broiler chickens. Animal Research International, 21 (2): 5403–5414. Retrieved from https://oaji.net/articles/2023/801-1714398993.pdf.
Olusola, D. J., Fadahunsi, A. I., Atansuyi, A. J., Olayiwola, K. O., Gbeburu, M. O., Afesimi, O. J., Ahmed, K.F., Aro, S.O. and Chineke, C. A. (2023). Effect of breed and sex on phenotypic traits in Marshall and Noiler chickens naturally infected with coccidial oocysts. Animal Research International, 20(1), 4748-4757. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ari/article/view/246977.
Prasad, S. and Singh, D. P. (2006). An adjustment model of Logistic form to describe the growth pattern of chickens. Indian Journal of Poultry Science, 41(3), 280-282. Retrieved from https://indianjournals.com/article/ijps-41-3-012.
Sa’adu, A., Bashar, Y. A., Abubakar, A., Abbas, A. Y., Lawal, N., Mani, A. I. and Ribah, M. I. Performance of some broiler strains fed varying energy levels in cold season of semi-arid Sokoto, Nigeria. Research in Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, 5(1), 35-42. Retrieved from https://www.academiascholarlyjournal.org/ijarsfs/publications/jun18/Sa'adu_et_al.pdf.
Baba, S. P., Garba, J., & Zakari, Y. (2025). Evaluating the Impact of Dietary Supplements on Chicken Weight Gain through a Crossover Design Approach. UMYU Scientifica, 4(2), 413–416. DOI: https://doi.org/10.56919/usci.2542.043
Emegha, J. O., & Oliomogbe, T. I. (2024). Utilization of Chicken Waste as a Low-Cost Feedstock for Biodiesel Production: Optimization Strategies and Feasibility Analysis. UMYU Scientifica, 3(2), 173–179. DOI: https://doi.org/10.56919/usci.2432.019
Salisu, B., Anua, M. S., Wan Ishak, W. R., & Mazlan, N. (2021). Development and validation of quantitative thin layer chromatographic technique for determination of total aflatoxins in poultry feed and food grains without sample clean- up. Journal of Advanced Veterinary and Animal Research, 8(4), 656–670. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2021.h558
Salisu, B., Anua, M. S., Wan Ishak, W. R., & Mazlan, N. (2022). An improved Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy combined with partial least squares regression for rapid quantification of total aflatoxins in commercial chicken feeds and food grains. Journal of Advanced Veterinary and Animal Research, 9(3), 546–564. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2022.i624
Santos, H. B., Vieira, D. A., Souza, L. P., Santos, A. L., Santos, F. R. and Neto, F. A. (2018). Application of non-linear mixed models for modelling the quail growth curve for meat and laying. The Journal of Agricultural Science, 156(10), 1216-1221. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021859619000169
Şengül, T., Çelik, Ş., Şengül, A. Y., İnci, H. and Şengül, Ö. (2024). Investigation of growth curves with different nonlinear models and MARS algorithm in broiler chickens. PloS one, 19(11), e0307037. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0307037
Topal, M., & Bolukbasi, Ş. C. (2008). Comparison of nonlinear growth curve models in broiler chickens. Journal of Applied Animal Research, 34(2), 149-152. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09712119.2008.9706960
Udeh, I., Ezebor, P. O. and Akporahuarho, P. N. (2015). Growth performance and carcass yield of three commercial strains of broiler chickens raised in a tropical environment. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare, 5(2), 62-67. Retrieved from https://www.iiste.org/Journals/index.php/JBAH/article/view/19538.
Vargas, L., Sakomura, N. K., Leme, B. B., Antayhua, F., Reis, M., Gous, R. and Fisher, C. (2020). A description of the potential growth and body composition of two commercial broiler strains. British Poultry Science, 61(3), 266-273. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2020.1716300
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Adamu Mani Isa, Gift Akawu Joel (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
UMYU Scientifica recognizes the importance of protecting authors’ intellectual property while promoting the free exchange of scientific knowledge. The journal adopts a copyright-retention model that empowers authors to maintain ownership of their work while granting the journal rights necessary for publication and dissemination.
1. Copyright Ownership
Authors publishing with UMYU Scientifica retain full copyright and publishing rights to their work. By submitting a manuscript, authors agree to grant the journal a non-exclusive license to publish, reproduce, distribute, and archive the article in all forms and media for the purpose of scholarly communication.
2. Licensing Terms
All articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial (CC BY-NC) license.
This license permits others to:
- Share - copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format.
- Adapt - remix, transform, and build upon the material.
- For non-commercial purposes only, provided that proper credit is given to the original author(s) and UMYU Scientifica as the source, a link to the license is provided, and any modifications are clearly indicated.
Commercial reuse or distribution of the content requires written permission from both the author and the editorial office.
3. Author Rights
Authors are free to:
- Deposit all versions of their manuscript (preprint, accepted version, and published version) in institutional, disciplinary, or public repositories without embargo.
- Use and distribute their published article for non-commercial scholarly purposes, including teaching, conference presentations, and research sharing.
- Include their work in future books, theses, or compilations, provided proper citation to the journal is made.
4. Publisher’s Rights
Upon publication, UMYU Scientifica retains the right to:
- Host, index, and disseminate the article through the journal’s website and partner databases.
- Archive the content in long-term preservation systems such as the PKP Preservation Network (PKP-PN) and the Umaru Musa Yar’adua University Institutional Repository.
5. Attribution and Citation
Users must give appropriate credit to the author(s), include a link to the article’s DOI or the journal webpage, and indicate if changes were made. Proper citation is required whenever the work is reused or referenced.
6. License Reference
For detailed terms of use, please refer to the Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0):
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
