Cluster-Based Assessment of Growth Performance in Cameroon Local Chicken

This study integrates clustering and network analyses to identify performance-based groups and their connections to phenotypes, providing insights to zoptimize local chicken breeding programs in Cameroon. A total of 113 Birds were grouped based on growth patterns between 16 and 22 weeks, assessed using total weight gain (TWG) and leg circumference gain (LCG). Repeated measures and Welch ANOVA were used to test performance differences, while Generalized Least Squares (GLS) ANCOVA identified growth predictors. Although phenotypic diversity was observed, TWG and LCG did not differ significantly across phenotypes (p > 0.05), whereas final body weight (BW) and leg circumference (LC) at 22 weeks did (p