PAKISTAN
VETERINARY
JOURNAL
     
 
previous page   Pak Vet J, 2008, 28(4): 189-193   next page
 

EFFECT OF AGE AND BODY WEIGHT AT MOLTING ON THE PERFORMANCE OF BROILER BREEDER HENS UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL HOUSES IN PAKISTAN

HASSAN M. MALIK, EHSAN-UL-HAQ AND F. AHMAD

Department of Poultry Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Abstract

    In the present study, 2700 broiler breeder hens of Arbor Acre strain were divided into 27 experimental units (100 each) and allotted to nine treatments randomly having three replications each. The birds were kept under uniform managemental conditions throughout the experimental period of 32 weeks post molt period. The birds were molted under conventional method at 50, 55 and 60 weeks of age having three different body weights i.e. 3000, 3500 and 4000  ± 50g under 3x3 factorial design. At the time of 5% production, data on production performance (weekly eggs/hen, hen day production, body weight and feed consumption) were recorded. Data collected was analyzed by analysis of variance technique under 3x3 factorial arrangement of treatment and the differences among the treatment means were analyzed by Duncan’s Multiple Range test. Significant (P<0.05) differences due to body weight and age were noted for feed consumption, weekly eggs per hen, hen day production and hen house production. Broiler breeders having low age group (50 weeks) and medium body weight (3500g) resulted in maximum production performance/net profit.

Key words: Broiler breeder, moulting, egg production, body weight.

 
   

ISSN 0253-8318 (Print)
ISSN 2074-7764 (Online)



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