Influence of mixed and separate gender feeding on the growth performance of Korean native chicken from day 1 to day 35 post-hatch

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of gender on the growth performance of Korean native chickens (KNC) from hatch to 35 days. A total of 144 one-day-old chicks were used in three groups of female (F), male (M) and mixed groups (FM). Birds were randomized into 6 replicate cages with 8 chicks per pen. Body weights (BW), feed consumed were measured weekly. From the BW and feed intake data, the average gain (ADG), average feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. Our results revealed that the male group had a higher (p < 0.05) BW relative to the female and mixed groups as at d 21, alluding to an earlier onset of growth or possible maturity. Furthermore, the male group reported a higher (p < 0.05) ADFI relative to the other groups. The effect of the higher ADFI can be seen in the higher (p < 0.05) ADG. Besides, the male group reported a lower (p < 0.05) FCR on day 21 compared to the other groups. Better results were recorded with the male group relative to the other groups suggesting an influence of gender on the overall growth performance.

Keywords: gender, growth performance, Korean native chickens.

Published in the Proceedings of 2021 Annual Congress of KSAST (Korean Society of Animal Science and Technology).