Dynamic behavior of egg weight in free-range hens discriminated by productive indicators at sexual maturity

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19137/cienvet202022201

Keywords:

sexual precocity, body weight, egg weight, laying regularity, laying uniformity, Weatherup & Foster model

Abstract

The effects on the dynamic pattern of egg weight of five traits at sexual maturity were characterized in Campero Casilda hens. When the first egg was laid, body weight, age (an indicator of sexual precocity), weight of the first 10 eggs (an indicator of their initial weight), days needed to lay them (an indicator of regularity) and coefficient of variation of these weights (an indicator of uniformity) were recorded. All the eggs laid between sexual maturity and 72 weeks of age was weighed. Longitudinal data relating weekly average egg weight versus laying age were adjusted by non-linear regression with the Weatherup & Foster model. Birds were categorized by the values of each trait measured at sexual maturity and the category effect on the estimators of the function parameters was evaluated. Less precocious birds were heavier and laid larger eggs at the beginning of the cycle and in the
asymptote, without differences on the egg weight maturation rate, in comparison to those more precocious. The latter began the laying period irregularly, requiring a greater number of days to lay the first 10 eggs and the weight of these had a higher coefficient of variation. The
birds that began laying more uniform eggs in weight maintained that difference throughout the curve. Early selection of birds that begin laying at an older age, with greater body weight, more regularly and with heavier eggs uniform in size would show a favorable dynamic pattern in egg weight.

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Author Biographies

Bernardo Martín Romera, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Universidad Nacional de Rosario

Médico Veterinario. Especialista en Producción Avícola. Profesor Adjunto de la Cátedra de Genética. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Universidad Nacional de Rosario.

Alumno de la Carrera de Doctorado en Ciencias Veterinarias de la UNR

Becario PERHID durante el desarrollo de este trabajo

Araceli Martines, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Universidad Nacional de Rosario

Estudiante de la Carrera de Medicina Veterinaria. Ayudante de 2ª. Cátedra de Genética. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Universidad Nacional de Rosario

Zulma Edith Canet, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Universidad Nacional de Rosario EEA INTA Pergamino

Médica Veterinaria. Especialista en Producción Avícola. Doctora en Ciencias Veterinarias. Profesora Adjunta de la Cátedra de Genética. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Universidad Nacional de Rosario.

Coordinadora Avicultura. Programa Prohuerta. EEA INTA Pergamino

Ana María Dottavio, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Universidad Nacional de Rosario

Ingeniera Agrónoma. Especialista en Docencia Universitaria. Doctora en Ciencias Veterinarias. Profesora Adjunta a cargo de la Cátedra de Genética. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Universidad Nacional de Rosario

Ricardo José Di Masso, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Universidad Nacional de Rosario

Ingeniero Agrónomo. Especialista en Docencia Universitaria. Doctor. Profesor Honorario de la Universidad Nacional de Rosario

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Published

2020-10-29

How to Cite

Romera, B. M., Martines, A., Canet, Z. E., Dottavio, A. M., & Di Masso, R. J. (2020). Dynamic behavior of egg weight in free-range hens discriminated by productive indicators at sexual maturity. Ciencia Veterinaria, 22(2), 71–96. https://doi.org/10.19137/cienvet202022201

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Section

Artículos de Investigación