Evaluation of Vanaraja male line (PD1) for different production and egg quality traits

Abstract

Vanaraja male line (PD1) was evaluated for different production traits up to 60 weeks of age and egg quality traits were recorded at different ages. Body weight at 20 and 40 weeks of age were 2037 and 2903 g, respectively. Least square estimate for age at sexual maturity was 180.30 days. Egg production up to 40 and 60 weeks of age were 42.34 and 92.06 eggs, respectively. There was increase of 2.07 mm shank length between 16 to 20 weeks of age. Heritability estimates for age at sexual maturity, body weight at 20 and 40 weeks of age, egg production upto 40 weeks and egg weight at 32 weeks of age were low in magnitude. However, heritability estimates for Shank length at 20 and first egg weight showed moderate to high heritability. Genetic correlation between shank length and egg production up to 40 weeks of age was positive, however, body weight at 40 weeks of age with egg production showed negative correlation and moderate in magnitude. Egg quality parameters showed significant difference between different age of measurements and as the age increases the egg quality parameters decreases. Results indicated that most of the production traits in PD1 line have less additive genetic variation which should be considered in the selection programme.