Mixed and separate gender feeding influenced the growth performance for two lines of Korean native chickens when compared to a white semi-broiler and a commercial broiler from day 1 to 35 post-hatch

• Published in: Korean Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 48; no. 1; pp. 171 - 178
• Main Authors: Ogola, Oketch Elijah, Cho, Hyun Min, Hong, Jun Seon, Kim, Yu Bin, R, Shan, Nawarathne, ima, Yu, Myunghwan, Heo, Jung Min, Yi, Young-Joo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 충남대학교 농업과학연구소 01.03.2021; 농업과학연구소
• Subjects: 농학; growth performance; Korean native chicken; mixed and separate gender feeding
• ISSN: 2466-2402; 2466-2410
• DOI: 10.7744/kjoas.20210011

A comparative study was conducted to examine the effects of mixed and separate gender feeding on growth performance of Korean native chickens (KNC) against a white semi-broiler (WSB) and a commercial broiler (CB) over five weeks. 576 chicks were used with eight birds per cage in a randomized complete block design with 18 replicates per breed. For the KNC lines, three groups of male (M), female (F) and mixed-gender (FM) were used. Fresh water and feed were supplied on an ad-libitum basis. Birds were fed a standard starter (d 1 - 22) and grower diet (d 23 - 35). Body weight (BW), feed intake, and shank length (SL) were measured weekly. From the BW and feed consumed data, the average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. The commercial broiler showed higher performance (p < 0.05) for all the indices measured for the entire period. The CB group consumed more feed and were more feed-efficient thus grew faster. This group was followed by the white semi-broiler and the KNC, in order. An intra-breed comparison for KNCs revealed that the males showed better growth performance with longer SL (p < 0.05) compared to the female and mixed-gender groups. The results showed that other than the breed type, mixed and separate gender feeding impacted on the growth performance of the two lines of Korean native chickens. Males for both lines of KNC generally performed better for the parameters measured, as determined by a greater BW and reduced FCR. KCI Citation Count: 1