Abstract:
The available and popular broiler parent stocks; Cobb-500, Arbor Acres, and Lohmann were
evaluated based on productive and reproductive performances to identify a suitable broiler parent
stock for broiler production. A total of 25093, 18 weeks old broiler parents of Cobb-500
(Female-7460 and Male-1025), Arbor Acres (Female-7282 and Male-1025), and Lohmann
(Female-7257 and Male-1044) reared on a littered floor in separate sheds for 44 weeks of age
providing standard management given by the breeder. The parents were significantly different in
body weight, feed intake, egg production, egg mass, and feed conversion ratio. The highest
number of egg and egg mass was observed in Arbor Acres (S2), followed by Lohmann (S3) and
Cobb-500 (S1), respectively. The highest albumen height, Haugh unit, and yolk index were
observed in S3, followed by S2 and S1, respectively. However, S1 showed the highest egg
weight, albumen and yolk weight, and albumen and yolk width, followed by S2 and S3,
respectively. Egg quality traits were increased with the increase of the age of the bird, except for
the Haugh unit and yolk index (p<0,001). Haugh unit and yolk index decreased with the increase
of the age of the bird. The highest fertility and net profit were observed in S2, followed by S3
and S1, respectively. The mortality and hatchability of fertile eggs did not differ among the 3
parents. Therefore, Arbor Acres may be a suitable broiler parent in the poultry industry. |
