NPY/DraI polymorphism and their association with some reproductive traits of ac chickens from 16–67 weeks old

The study was conducted at a chicken farm in Phong Dien District, Can Tho City, from May 2022 to July 2023, to assess the association between the NPY/DraI polymorphism and key reproductive parameters in Ac hens. A total of 400 hens were raised in cages according to the individual method at the age of 16–67 weeks. The results showed that NPY/DraI had a high association with average age of first egg laying, laying rate, the total number of eggs, feed intake/10 eggs and FCR (P<0.05). The Ac hens had the age of the first egg laying at 117 days old (II genotype), 119 days old (ID genotype) and 121 days old (DD genotype). In the period from 16 to 67 weeks old, Ac hens with II genotype had the highest egg production (149 eggs/hen/52 weeks of laying), laying rate (42.3%) and the lowest of average feed consumption/10 eggs (1.33 kg), FCR (3.54 g feed/g egg). These results indicated that hens with II genotype can be used in breeding Ac chickens for egg production.