Effect of Body Weight in Growing Period on Laying Performance of Korean Native Chicken Breeders

This study was to investigate the relationship between chick weight in the growing period and the laying performance of Korean native chicken (KNC) breeders. We measured the body weights of 1,384 KNC breeders at 1-140 days of age at two-week intervals. The age at first egg laying, hen-day and hen-housed egg production, and the egg weights were investigated. Correlation coefficients between the body weight and egg production traits were analyzed. The results showed that the correlation coefficients between body weight and age at first egg laying were significantly positive before 4 weeks, but negative after 8 weeks of age. The correlation coefficients between body weight and egg production rate were estimated to be negative before 8 weeks and positive after 12 weeks of age. Coefficients of hen-day and hen-housed egg production were similar. There was little correlation between body weight and egg weight at 32 weeks of age, whereas a low positive correlation was with egg weight at 50 weeks. In conclusion, there was little correlation between body weight and laying performance before 8 weeks of age, whereas a significant positive correlation was with body weight after 12 weeks. The results suggest that as the chick's weight increases in the late growing stage, sexual maturity is faster, the egg production rate is higher, and the egg weight increases. Therefore, the weight management of KNC female breeders is very important in the late growing stage, and the body weight of chicks must be maintained above the standard weight.