SHORT-TERM EVALUATION OF PURE AND CROSSBRED PARENT STOCK PULLETS

SHORT-TERM EVALUATION OF PURE AND CROSSBRED PARENT STOCK PULLETS

Abstract:

Some traits of economic importance in egg production were studied in eight F1. genotypes of two grand parent strains. The grand parent stock, each of two lines, were imported as day-old chicks from England. Diallel crossing was used among the two strains at 28 weeks of age to generate four F1 progeny groups per line. The F1 chicks were brooded and reared like the grand-parents on deep-litter pens. Laying pens were also deep litter. The results showed that the genotypes of both lines responded differently in production characteristics. Age at first egg was generally sire influenced but the inheritance of body weight and egg weight was line dependent. Pullets of male line were lighter at 30 weeks, laid more and heavier eggs and consumed more feed than those of female line. General combining ability was important for weight of first egg and feed consumption while specific combining ability was important for laying house mortality alone. Heterosis was important for body weight at first egg, weight of first egg, Hen-day egg production, feed consumption, feed efficiency and laying house mortality; and were mostly exhibited by crossbred groups of male line. Reciprocal effect was important for the body weight traits, weight of first egg and laying house mortality. Sex-linkage was suspected to be more important than maternal effect in the present study

SHORT-TERM EVALUATION OF PURE AND CROSSBRED PARENT STOCK PULLETS

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