A comparative study of reproductive performance of Ross 308 and Marshall R Plus Broiler Breeder females strain stocks during production period

Abstract

This study was designed to compare the production performance of both Ross 308 and Marshall R Plus broiler breeder strain, whereas the ambient temperature ranged between 7.9ºC to 30.10ºC. A total of 36,000 25 wks- old hens of broiler breeders Marshall R Plus and Ross 308. The hen of each strain (18000 hens) was randomly distributed to five open houses as replicates (3,600 hens per house). Fed ad libitum on balanced ration and available water according to Management Guide recommendations for each strain. Production performance percentage, such as egg production of hen housed (HH) and hen day (HD), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratios (FCR), mortality, selected and unselected eggs for hatching, broken and a double yolk, was recorded from 26 to 57 weeks of age. The whole production period divided into eight production periods for each strain by randomized complete block design as 2 × 8 factorial arrangement of treatments. The results showed significant differences in strain, production period and their interaction on HD, HH, FI and FCR. Ross 308 strain had higher HD and HH, lower FI and better FCR than Marshall Strain. Also, the strain and production period had a significant effect on the selected, unselected, broken and double yolk and mortality. Ross 308 strain had higher selected eggs for hatching, broken and mortality and lower unselected and double yolk eggs than Marshal strain during the completely experimental period. It can be concluded from this study that Ross had better performance in all studied traits except mortality and broken eggs percentages.