Reproductive performance of Koekoek chickens at different levels of feed restrictions

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to determine the impact of the feeding levels on the reproductive characteristics of Koekoek chickens. A total of 270 Koekoek chickens were randomly assigned to 4 feeding level treatments in a completely randomized design. The four feeding level treatments were fully fed during the rearing and laying phase (AA), fully fed during the rearing phase and restricted feeding during the laying phase (AR), restricted feeding during the rearing phase and fully fed during the laying phase (RA), and restricted both during the rearing and laying phase (RR). The General Linear Model procedure (SPSS software, version 17) was used to analyze the data set. The pubic bone measurements were 23.6, 25.1, 16.1, and 15.1 mm for chickens that received AA, AR, RA, and RR treatments, respectively, at 18 weeks of age. At 32 weeks of age, chickens given AA and RA treatments had wider pubic bones than chickens given AR and RR treatments. Combined ova and oviduct weights were higher in the fully fed chickens at 18 weeks of age. Koekoek chickens in AA treatment had the highest average egg production. Chickens given AR treatment had lower average egg weights than those given AA, AR, and RR treatments. Chickens treated with AA and AR reached puberty earlier than those that were treated with the RA and RR treatments. The eggs produced by chickens given RR treatment had a higher average hatching percentage. The lowest percentage of hatches was observed in chickens that were fed ad libitum during the rearing phase. In conclusion, the feed restriction only during the rearing phase improved the reproduction performance of Koekoek chickens.