Abstract

ROMERA, B. M. et al. Sexual ornaments and productive traits in Campero Casilda hens. Rev. vet. [online]. 2022, vol.33, n.2, pp.183-191. ISSN 1669-6840.  http://dx.doi.org/10.30972/vet.3326180.

In order to associate the size of sexual ornaments with reproductive and productive characters in hens from the three-way cross Campero Casilda, the comb (CI: length x height) and wattle indices (BI: length x width) were calculated. Individual data were graphed in a Cartesian system (X: IC; Y: IB) which was divided into four quadrants by two lines that intersect each axis at the level of their mean values. Birds with extreme values of both indices (Quadrant I (CI):> CI> IB and Quadrant III (CIII): <CI <IB) were identified and, for each of them, the productive characters at sexual maturity, four indicators of bone development at 30 and 71 weeks, the dynamic patterns of body weight and egg weight and the ratio of feed conversion to eggs in the first part of the laying cycle, were recorded. Birds with greater development of sexual ornaments (a) were precocious and began laying with eggs of lower weight, but with similar regularity and uniformity and presented (b) greater length of the tarsus and femur in both ages, greater diameter of the tarsus at 30 weeks and greater length of the tibia at 71 weeks of age, (c) higher exponential growth rate between the sixth and twentieth week but similar global growth pattern, (d) lower asymptotic egg weight, lower maturation rate for the character and lower theoretical weight of the first egg and (e) higher number of eggs of lower weight and similar feed conversion ratio between 26 and 35 weeks. Size combination of sexual ornaments is presented as an alternative for the early selection of the breeders.

Keywords : comb index; wattle index; sexual maturity; growth; egg weight; feed conversion ratio.

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