Fertility, hatchability and livability up to first laying age of Aseel and F1 of Hilly (Red Jungle × Hilly) chicken under intensive rearing system

Abstract

A study was conducted between June 2008 and May 2009 on Aseel and F₁ of Hilly chicken under intensive rearing system at Chattogram district of Bangladesh. Livability, fertility and hatchability are the key features to poultry breeders. Because poor fertility and low hatchability incur loss in breeding operations and less livability significantly impact net returns. Therefore, higher fertility and hatchability and lower mortality of birds should be of direct interest to the poultry breeders. Hence the aim of this study was to estimate fertility, hatchability and livability up to first laying age of Aseel and F₁ of Hilly chicken. The Aseel and F₁ of Hilly chickens were collected from the Sarail Upazila of Brahmanbaria district and hill tract regions of Bangladesh. After collection, the chickens were kept in breeding flock as male and female ratio 1:1. The egg was stored in room temperature and hatched by the electric incubator. Fertility of Aseel and F₁ of Hilly chicks was found to be 95% and 75%, respectively. The hatchability of Aseel and F₁ of Hilly chicken based on fertile eggs was detected 94.74% and 86.67% but in case of total eggs the hatchability of the two genotypes was 90% and 65%, respectively. Livability of Aseel and F₁ of Hilly chicks up to first laying age was 88.89% and 46.15%, respectively. The first laying age of both Aseel and F₁ of Hilly were 210 and 180 days, respectively. Based on fertility, hatchability and livability, Aseel chicken was better than F1 of Hilly chicken. So, the former breed is better for conservation issue than the later in the ex-situ conservation system.