Optimum housing body weight to achieve maximum production performance in Ankleshwar chicken

Abstract

The present study evaluated the effect of body weight at 16 weeks of age on subsequent growth and production performance of Ankleshwar chickens. A total of 361 S7 generation Ankleshwar females were categorized into seven body-weight groups based on their 16-week body weight and individually housed for performance recording. Body weight was recorded at 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36 and 40 weeks of age; age at first egg (AFE), egg production (17-40 weeks), egg weight (24-40 weeks), and feed consumption were also assessed. Significant differences (p