Performance and welfare of different genetic groups of laying hen

Jean Kaique Valentim,Fernanda Keller Queiroz Barros,Heder José D 'Ávila Lima,Hellen Cristina Ferreira Antunes,Tatiana Marques Bittencourt,Jefferson Darlan Da Costa Braga

doi:10.4025/actascianimsci.v41i1.42904

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the performance, egg quality, thermoregulation, body morphology and behavior of different categories of laying poultry. Two treatments with two genetic groups were used, 50 birds of the Hisex Brown strain and 50 birds of the Black Avifran chicken breed with 55 weeks, distributed in a completely randomized design with 10 replicates and 5 birds in each experimental unit. The variables egg weight, weight and percentage of albumen, yolk and shell, marketable eggs, specific gravity, color b *, egg / poultry production day-1 were not different (p > 0.05) between the two groups. Feed conversion by egg mass and dozen eggs, yolk color, L color, diameter, height, shell color presented a difference (p < 0.05), being higher values for the Black Avifran breed. The Black Chicken Avifran had higher body temperature; however, its performance and the quality of its eggs did not change. Black Chicken Avifran presented higher values in relation to body morphology, and better results in relation to the animal performance, therefore, it was more efficient, since it obtained a lower consumption and production equal to the lineage Hisex Brown, when created in the Cage – Free system.

Highlights

Several factors can influence animal production, which can be beneficial or harmful to each species
Research in the area of genetics and breeding is necessary for the purpose of knowing the phenotypes, lineages, races and patterns existents, willing to verify which categories are most efficient for each production system, since these variables are intrinsically related to their performance
Two treatments with two genetic groups of laying hens were used, 50 Hisex Brown strain and 50 Black Chicken Avifran breed with 55 weeks, distributed in a completely randomized design with 10 replicates and 5 birds in each experimental unit

Summary

Introduction

Several factors can influence animal production, which can be beneficial or harmful to each species. In addition to the ambience, nutrition and sanity, the genetic characteristics of the breeds / lineages cause changes in the adaptation and performance of the animals (Azevedo, Fosse Filho, Pereira, Andrade, & Júnior, 2016). According to Costa, Dourado and Merval (2012), animal and environmental interaction should be considered when seeking higher productivity. Research in the area of genetics and breeding is necessary for the purpose of knowing the phenotypes, lineages, races and patterns existents, willing to verify which categories are most efficient for each production system, since these variables are intrinsically related to their performance

Objectives

Methods

Results