Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica ›› 2025, Vol. 56 ›› Issue (5): 2136-2147.doi: 10.11843/j.issn.0366-6964.2025.05.014

• Animal Genetics and Breeding • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Analysis of the Genetic Characteristics of Clutch Traits in the GF33A Line of Yellow-feathered Broilers

ZHU Tao1(), YU Yang2, CAI Richun2, CHEN Zhiwu2, ZHAO Guiping1, CUI Huanxian1, ZHENG Maiqing1,*()   

  1. 1. Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
    2. Guangxi Jinling Husbandry Group Co., Ltd., Nanning 530049, China
  • Received:2024-11-01 Online:2025-05-23 Published:2025-05-27
  • Contact: ZHENG Maiqing E-mail:Tao_zhu_0520@163.com;zhengmaiqing@caas.cn

Abstract:

The study aimed to explore the genetic characteristics of clutch traits and screen appropriate indicators to improve the reproductive performance of broiler breeders. In this study, a total of 4 273 hens from two generations of the Yellow-feathered broiler GF33A line were used as the research population, and the clutch traits were taken as the research object. By comprehensively applying methods such as the division of egg-laying time nodes, estimation of genetic parameters, and calculation of relative selection efficiency, the genetic characteristics of clutch traits and their genetic relationship with the egg number were systematically explored, and then the selection indicators of clutch traits for improving the egg number were screened out. Through an in-depth analysis of the changing trend of the egg-laying rate, 4 key egg-laying time nodes were divided, which were 35, 43, 51, and 63 weeks of age. Based on the above-mentioned egg-laying time nodes, 4 egg-laying periods were defined, and the genetic parameters of the clutch traits in these 4 periods were estimated. At the same time, the relative selection efficiency between these traits and the egg number at 63 weeks of age was calculated. The results showed that 3 indicators, namely the number of pauses in the first period (NP1), the number of clutches in the second period (NC2), and the number of clutches in the third period (NC3), had high heritability, a strong genetic relationship with the egg number at 63 weeks of age, and high relative selection efficiency. NP1, NC2, and NC3 can be used as candidate indicators for the selection of the egg number by hens. Through negative selection, the improvement of the egg number throughout the whole period can be indirectly achieved, providing a scientific basis for the improvement of the reproductive performance of broiler breeders.

Key words: broiler breeder, clutch traits, egg number, breeding indicators

CLC Number: