Effect of age, housing type and their interaction on broiler breeders performance during growth and egg production periods.

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of two housing types (open and semi-closed), broiler breeder age and their interaction on broiler breeder performance during growth period (1-24 wks of age) and egg production periods (25-60 wks of age). Hubbard classic broilers used as breeders in each housing types. During the growth period, body weight, feed intake per day and mortality percentage of males and females broiler breeders were significantly higher under open housing type compared to semi-closed housing type. Body weight, body weight gain, feed intake per day and feed conversion ratio of females and males were increased as breeder age increased. Body weight of males and females was significantly affected by interaction between housing type and age. Also, mortality percentage of males was significantly affected by interaction of housing type and breeder age. In production period, egg production percentage was numerically higher under semi-closed housing system as compared to open housing system, but this difference was not statistically significant. However, egg production (%) was significantly affected by breeder age. Body weight, body weight gain, feed intake per day and mortality percentage of female broiler breeders were significantly affected by breeder age. Results showed that body weight and mortality percentage were significantly higher for breeders managed under open housing type than those under semi-closed housing type. Mortality percentage of females was significantly affected by interaction between housing type and age. Moreover, high significant correlations were detected between some performance traits of the broiler breeders during egg production stage under the two housing types.