Genetic analysis and performance evaluation of broiler breeders cockerels according to productive and carcass traits in progeny

Abstract

Abstract This study was conducted in poultry research station in animal resources department/ State Board of Agricultural Research/ Ministry of Agriculture for the period from 18/7/2011 until 25/10/2011 on 140 broiler breeder males and females of Ross by 9 females for every male, as well as to the strain Arbor Acres, The first treatment contained Arbor Acres males with Arbor Acres females, second treatment contained Arbor Acres males and Ross females, third treatment contained Ross male and Arbor Acres female, fourth treatment was contained Ross males and females. This study was conducted in order to conducting genetic analysis (calculating of general and specific ability, maternal effects and sex linkages, heterosis in addition to breeding values, and to evaluate broiler breeder males performances of Arbor Acres males and Ross and its combination according to certain productive traits of the resulting offspring (weight and length of hatching chicks and weight at 3, 4, 5 and 6 weeks), and carcass traits (carcass weight and percentages of abdominal fat, dressing, drum sticks, thigh, chest, wings, back and neck) within local environment of Iraq. The results indicated that there are significant differences in the weights characteristics of male (but not females) at different ages among genotypes, as well as existence of differences among genotypes in carcass characteristics, and the most important is breast percentage. As well as the results showed existence of significant differences in non-additives values of many traits, results indicate existence of a genetic variation in breeding values among rooster’s traits.