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Effect of Chick Separation (weaning) on Commencement of Laying.

H. Khatun
Poultry Production Research Division, Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka 1341.

R. Hasnath
Poultry Production Research Division, Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka 1341.

M. N. Islam
Poultry Production Research Division, Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka 1341.

S. Khan
Poultry Production Research Division, Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka 1341.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Native chicken are to perform extra activities like incubating their eggs, caring and protecting their baby chicks from predators and maintaining themselves in adverse nutritional condition. Native hen spend large percentages of their time in incubation of eggs, caring, rearing and protecting their babies after natural hatching which is one of the reasons for delay in commencement of next clutch and consequently low productivity. Egg production of native chicken assumed to be increased by shortening wearing period and improving nutrient intake. The study was determined the effects of separating baby chicks from their mother hen on commencement of next laying clutch and the growth rate of chicks and survivability from 0 to 8 weeks of age. An on farm was conducted in two locations (Dhamrai and Ullapara). The effects of commencement of next laying clutch were 36.33±2.5, 50.27±5.7, 56.8±4.7 and 63.47±7.3 on the chick separation of 3 weeks, 5 weeks, 7 weeks and on chick separation from mother hen respectively. The commencement of next laying clutch was significantly differences of 3 weeks than 5 weeks, 7 weeks and on chick separation (p<0.001) but the number of egg laid in the next clutch of 3 weeks, 5 weeks, 7 weeks and on chick separation was not significant. Body weight of the chicks were 87.41±5.39, 111.51±8.00, 139.12±8.46, 173.69±10.79, 198.88±8.43, and 83.63±5.28, 116.48±6.42, 144.56±7.06, 170.66±214.15, 215.15±6.54 grams in 4 weeks, 5 weeks, 6 weeks, 7 weeks and 8 weeks at location-1 and location-2 respectively after separation of the chicks from 3 weeks of mother hen which was significantly different than other treatments. The body weight of mother hen at laying stage were 1116.38±45.90, 1125.25 ±41.68, 1141.33 ±56.42 and 1126.75±33.11 gm in location-1 and 1142.61±51.53, 1154.55±59.95, 1149.88±68.91, 1131.02±37.79 gm in location-2 had no significant differences and the body weight after hatch were 957.07±43.08, 934.52±40.84, 904.02±48.28, 912.52±35.03 gm in location-land 905.69±52.89, 922.94±54.02, 939.05±71.31 and 940.41±49.81 grams in location-2 were not significant differences. The survival rate of chicks were 61.00, 70.00, 67.50 and 65.00 percent in location-1 and 60.00, 69.50, 68.00 and 62.50 percent in location-2 of different treatments respectively. So putting chicks in enclosures of 3 weeks after hatching decreased the time to next commencement of laying of the mother hen, compared to the traditional system in which chicks were not enclosed. Moreover providing supplementation in the enclosure led to faster growth and higher rates of survival compared to no supplementation and no enclosure.

Keywords: Mother hen, Chicks, Enclosure, Growth, Reproductive performance

Location:

Start Date: 01-07- 2009

End Date: 30-06-2010

Program Area: Postharvest and Agro-processing

Commodity: Chicken

Objectives:

1. To determine the effects of chick separation (weaning) on commencement of next laying clutch on mother hen. 2. To investigate the effects of separation on growth performance baby chicks.

Methodology:

Selection of study location and collaborator rearing farmers: The study will be carried out in the farmer field in two location (Dhamrai and Ullapara) of the country. Location was decided on the basis of suitability of native chicken population, and representation of different socio-physical condition, communication and research management facility. Farmers was selected through stratified sampling where farmers with their native chicken having willingness to rear native chicken. After hatching, the hens remain in the enclosure with the chicks for a (brooding period). The hens was divided into four treatments based on periods of chicks remained with the mother hen in enclosures. There are four treatments having 3 replications comprising of 6 chickens (1 cock and 5 hens) in each replication. The treatments were: T₀ (No separation of chicks); T₁ (Chick separation at 3 weeks); T₂ (Chick separation at 5 weeks); T₃ (Chick separation at 7 weeks). The mother hen was allowed for scavenging with her chicks. Feeding: Each farmer should have a separate creep feeder for supplementary feed to the mother chicken. Fifty gm. of supplementary balance poultry feed was given to every mother hen in the morning, after providing supplementary feed the mother was allowed for scavenging with her chicks and young chicks were fed adlibitum balanced mash feed after separation from their mother in enclose up to 8 weeks of age. The fed was measured by weight using a graduated measuring cup. Data collection: Data was collected on incubation of eggs; supplementary feed; weekly body weight of the chicks; survivability rate of chicks; time required for commencement of next laying, eggs laid in the next clutch, body weight of mother hen at laying and after hatch and economic output from the chickens. Data analysis: Data were subjected to analysis of variance Statistical Package Programme for Social Sciences (SPSS). The least square means were computed and compared using least significant difference (LSD).

Source of Information: BLRI. Proceedings of the Annual Research Review Workshop 2009-2010, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka 1341.

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Results so far obtained indicate positive effect of early chick separation at 3 weeks of age on commencement of next laying clutch but the eggs laid in the next clutch had no significant difference. The increasing of body weight of chick separation at 3 weeks of age is significantly higher in compares to the 5, 7 and control group. Result also indicated that the body weight at laying and after hatch had no significant difference, through the mother hen loose the body weight after hatch. The survival rates of chicks were higher at 3 weeks of chicks separation than the other treatments due to enclosure of the chicks.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings