Reproductive Performance of Pedigreed Boholano Strain of Philippine Native Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus Linn.) With Different Mating Ratio
A.J. Salces, M.R dela Cruz

ABSTRACT

As a newly purified and described genetic group of the Philippine native chicken, the Boholano strain has no reproductive performance data available.  Hence, this study was conducted to determine and compare the effects of different rooster to hen breeding ratio on the reproductive performance of Boholano strain.  A total of 45 (39 hens and 6 roosters) 30-month old Boholano strain were used in the study. Chickens were randomly assigned in a pen using a completely randomized design to two breeding ratio (1:8 rooster-to-hen ratio and 1:5 rooster-to-hen ratio) and raised under semi-intensive production system.  Each treatment was replicated 3 times.  No significant differences (P>0.05) were observed in the egg weight, fertility, hatchability, embryonic mortality, and weight of day-old chicks among breeding ratio.  It is concluded that it is possible to increase the rooster-to-hen breeding ratio from 1:5 to 1:8 without adversely affecting the reproductive performance of the Philippine native chicken.  This ratio will increase the income of raisers by decreasing the production cost of having excess male on the flock.

Keyword(s):

Boholano strain, native chicken, reproductive performance

Commodity:

Poultry

Year:

2015

Discipline:

Breeding