ASSOCIATION OF BREEDER AGE AND BODY WEIGHT WITH FERTILITY AND HATCHABILITY IN NATIVE CHICKEN

The study was conducted to study the effect of age and body weight of parents on hatchability from 27 weeks to 52 weeks of age in native chicken breeders. The breeders were fed with diet as per BIS specifications and managed under standard conditions. The hatching eggs were collected and cleaned, fumigated and stored in the cold storage room. After 7 days, they were set in incubator. On 21st day, the chicks were pulled out. The hatchability on fertile eggs set was calculated based on the good quality chicks produced. The collected data on fertility and hatchability were analysed by general linear regression model by age, body weight of male and female parents using SPSS statistical package (Version 23.0). The results of this study indicated a significant difference (p<0.01) in fertility, hatchability parameters and middle mortality with respect to age and body weight of parent.