Comparative study of two strains of chicken for meat production. I I — Effect of egg weight on hatching weight

Abstract

In order to estimate the possible influence of the classes of eggs upon the hatching chick weight, 11,56 eggs, obtained from two broiler strains, here named “A” and “B”, were classified in three egg weight classes — class I (51-55 g), II (56-60 g) and class III (61-65 g).Difference between strains was found to be significant for chick weight. However this fact could be explained due to the significant differences secured in egg weight between these two strains. The coefficients of utilization obtained for both strains were very similar: 68.02% for strain “A” and 67.70% for strain "B”. The egg weight groups showed a linear and significant effect on chick weight emphasizing that chick weight increases in the same proportion us the egg weight class increases in weight. On the other hand, chicks obtained from each egg weight class showed significant differences in all comparison carried out among others classes. Male chicks were significantly heavier than female chicks.