Rooster body weight influence on the reproductive performance of the broiler parents

Abstract

In this research influence of the rooster body weight on reproductive performance of broiler parents was examined for Ross 308 and Cobb 500 hybrids. At the beginning of the productive cycle (24 weeks of age) for roosters Ross 308 hybrids average body weight of 3,030.00 g has been determined, while for Cobb 500 rooster average body weight was 3,045.00 g. In the 42nd week of age (middle of productive cycle), body weight of Ross 308 roosters was 4,306.00 g and 4,323.00 g for Cobb 500 roosters, while at the end of productive cycle in the 61st week of age Ross 308 hybrids had average 4.908,00 g and Cobb 500 had 4,918.50 g. Determined differences in body weight of roosters (15.00 g, 17.00 g and 10.50 g) in specific periods of productive cycle, as well as difference in body weight for the entire productive cycle (19.97 g) were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Between rooster body weight and fertilized eggs laying intensity positive statistically significant (P<0.001; P<0.01; P<0.05) correlation coefficients were determined. Between rooster body weight and hatchability percentage of the chicks positive statistically significant (P<0.001; P<0.01; P<0.05) correlation coefficients were determined for both hybrids. However, based on correlation coefficient it has been determined that rooster body weight had positive influence on laying intensity of fertilized eggs till 58th week of age (Ross 308) and 60th week of age (Cobb 500), while on hatchability of chicks it had positive influence till 58th week of age for both hybrids.