The deposition of yearling, 2- and 3-years-old breeders was monitored during 14 weeks. Pairs had been allocated in outdoors cages (45x80x35 cm - 1x1 cm wire mesh floor) under artificially extended photoperiod (natural + artificial 16 L : 8 D; 35 lux of artificial light intensity). The eggs were collected daily, stored (14°C and 70% RH) and incubated once a week (setters 99.7 °F; 47% RH, hatchers 99 °F, 43→56→47% RH). In comparison to the yearlings, results showed that the number of eggs laid per pairs increased slightly in 2 years-old breeders but, it significantly decreased in the 3 years-old (41.8, 44.4 and 38.1, respectively). Fertility and hatching percentages (on total incubated eggs) were influenced by breeders age (fertility: 85.8% vs. 83.6% vs. 80.5%; hatch: 74.7% vs. 71.7% and 70.3%, in yearling, in 1-, 2- and 3-years-old breeders, respectively; P<0.05). During the starting period, the oldest breeders showed a higher percentage of culled eggs at candling (25.2% vs. 12.5% and 14.2%) while the older parents showed higher hatching rates during the lasting season (67.5% vs. 62.7% and 62.9%). Results confirmed that to keep the red-legged partridges for one year or longer is useful. It is a fact that the reproductive performances may improve during the second year. Furthermore, a different lighting program applied to the oldest male, could reduce the loss of fertility during the starting period.
Reproductive Performances of Red-Legged Partridges (Alectoris rufa) in relation to age and season
FRONTE, BALDASSARE;BAGLIACCA, MARCO
2010-01-01
Abstract
The deposition of yearling, 2- and 3-years-old breeders was monitored during 14 weeks. Pairs had been allocated in outdoors cages (45x80x35 cm - 1x1 cm wire mesh floor) under artificially extended photoperiod (natural + artificial 16 L : 8 D; 35 lux of artificial light intensity). The eggs were collected daily, stored (14°C and 70% RH) and incubated once a week (setters 99.7 °F; 47% RH, hatchers 99 °F, 43→56→47% RH). In comparison to the yearlings, results showed that the number of eggs laid per pairs increased slightly in 2 years-old breeders but, it significantly decreased in the 3 years-old (41.8, 44.4 and 38.1, respectively). Fertility and hatching percentages (on total incubated eggs) were influenced by breeders age (fertility: 85.8% vs. 83.6% vs. 80.5%; hatch: 74.7% vs. 71.7% and 70.3%, in yearling, in 1-, 2- and 3-years-old breeders, respectively; P<0.05). During the starting period, the oldest breeders showed a higher percentage of culled eggs at candling (25.2% vs. 12.5% and 14.2%) while the older parents showed higher hatching rates during the lasting season (67.5% vs. 62.7% and 62.9%). Results confirmed that to keep the red-legged partridges for one year or longer is useful. It is a fact that the reproductive performances may improve during the second year. Furthermore, a different lighting program applied to the oldest male, could reduce the loss of fertility during the starting period.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
