Effect of Genotype and Holding Duration on Some Post-Hatch Traits of Day-Old Broiler Pure Line Chicks

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of varying holding durations on some post-hatching characteristics of broiler pure line chicks with different selection backgrounds. Fifty d-old chicks from each of 3 dam (A1, A2, A3) and 1 sire (B1) ANADOLU-T broiler pure lines were used. Ten chicks of each genotype were treated with holding durations of 0, 12, 24, 36 and 48-h after hatching. At the end of each holding duration, individual chick weight (g), weight loss (g, %), chick length (mm), wing feather length (mm), rectal temperature (oC), yolk sac weight (g, %) and yolk-free body mass (g) were determined. Hatching egg weights were similar in A1 (60.9 g), A2 (60.9 g) and B1 (61.1 g) lines, but higher than A3 (59.2 g) (P