Genetic and phenotypic parameters estimates for body weight, conformation, production and reproduction traits of PD1 (Vanaraja male line) during different periods

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to investigate growth, conformation, production and reproduction performance of PD1 (Vanaraja male line). The data collected for different periods from the birds were produced using 50 sires and 250 dams through pedigreed mating. Body weight was 640.21 g and shank length 75.39 mm at 6 weeks of age in pooled sex. In female the shank length increases faster up to 12 weeks of age and at 20 weeks it reached the maximum length, whereas other traits like body weight, keel length and breast angle increased up to 20 weeks of age. The ASM was 188 days and egg production up to 40 weeks of age was 46.29 eggs with egg weight at 40 weeks 54.61 g. The fertility % and hatchability % on total egg set and fertile egg set were 90.46, 83.20, and 91.38 %, respectively. The heritability estimates for juvenile body weight and conformation traits are low in magnitude. Growing period body weight showed moderate heritability estimates, whereas, conformation traits during growing period showed low to moderate heritability estimates. Egg production and age at sexual maturity showed low heritability estimates. Fertility and hatchability % showed moderate heritability estimates. Genetic and phenotypic correlation were estimated between different traits at different period and showed varying levels of correlations estimates. The results indicated that PD1 line has the potential for further improvement and to be used as male line to produce backyard variety and to increase the performance of Vanaraja commercial