Effect of body weight of laying hens on production traits of broiler parents

Vladan Djermanovic,Sreten Mitrovic,Milena Milojevic

doi:10.2298/bah1702201d

Vladan Djermanovic, Sreten Mitrovic + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.2298/bah1702201d

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Abstract

Certain investigations have been conducted in two broiler breeder flocks of Ross 308 and Cobb 500 hybrids. At the beginning of the production cycle (24 weeks of age), an average laying hens? body weight of 2680.40 g was found in the case of Ross 308 hybrid, and 2697.80 g in the case of Cobb 500 hybrid. During 42nd week of age (the middle of the production cycle), the body weight of laying hens was 3565.10 g (Ross 308) and 3599.05 g (Cobb 500), while at the end of the production cycle (61 weeks of age) the body weight of laying hens of Ross 308 hybrid was 3841.50 g, and 3850.00 g of Cobb 500. Identified differences in body weight of laying hens (17.40 g, 33.95 g, 8.50 g) in certain periods of the production cycle, as well as the difference in body weight of laying hens for the entire production cycle (23.26 g) were not statistically significant (P>0.05). More specific observation of the effect of body weight of laying hens on productive capacity of broiler breeders was determined by calculating the coefficients of phenotype correlation between the indicators studied. Thus, statistically significant (P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.05) coefficients of phenotype correlation between the body weight of laying hens and the majority of production indicators have been determined, while statistically significant (P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.05) correlation coefficients between the body weight of laying hens and the intensity of laying capacity for hatching and fertilized eggs have been determined, but for a shorter period of the production cycle.

Highlights

In addition to the age and optimal sex ratio, the body weight of laying hens during the production cycle significantly influences the productive capacities of broiler breeders (Savic et al, 2004; Đermanović et al, 2005; Đermanović et al, 2008; Djermanovic et al, 2009; Djermanovic, 2010; Đermanović et al, 2010; Đermanović et al, 2012; Mitrovic et al, 2005; Mitrovic et al, 2009; Mitrovic et al, 2010; Mitrovic et al, 2011; Pandurevic et al, 2013)
More specific observation of the effect of body weight of laying hens on productive capacity of broiler breeders was determined by calculating the coefficients of phenotype correlation between the indicators studied
The differences between the body weights of laying hens belonging to both hybrids were not statistically significant (p>0.05), i.e. a genotype did not significantly affect the body weight of hens

Summary

Introduction

In addition to the age and optimal sex ratio, the body weight of laying hens during the production cycle significantly influences the productive capacities of broiler breeders (Savic et al, 2004; Đermanović et al, 2005; Đermanović et al, 2008; Djermanovic et al, 2009; Djermanovic, 2010; Đermanović et al, 2010; Đermanović et al, 2012; Mitrovic et al, 2005; Mitrovic et al, 2009; Mitrovic et al, 2010; Mitrovic et al, 2011; Pandurevic et al, 2013). In order to make the production of fertilized eggs last for a long time period, it is necessary to constantly keep hens in breeding condition, paying particular attention to their physical development. It should be borne in mind that the uniformity of the flock in terms of weight is especially significant factor in the second half of the production cycle. In the case of the majority of heavy line hybrids, the production of eggs for the purpose of incubation starts at the 24th week of age, when the intensity of laying capacity is about 5% and more From this period on, the egg production gradually increases to the maximum, and the productivity of broiler breeders decreases more or less. As an indicator for estimation of the period up to which it is justified to use broiler breeders in the production of hatching eggs, the calculated coefficients of phenotype correlation between body weight and productive traits of laying hens in the final period of the production cycle, which represents a turning stage in the utilization of parent flocks, can make a significant contribution

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