Effect of hatch weight on egg production, hatchability and egg quality characteristics in pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)

This study was conducted to determine essential criteria for the selection of hatch weight in pheasants (Phasianus colchicus). The pheasants were divided into three groups in accordance with hatch weight (Group I<20.00 g, Group JJ 20.01-22.00 g and Group III>22.01 g) in this study. Hatch weight was found to have significant effect on the age and weight of sexual maturity in research groups (p<0.05). The differences between the values for egg production and egg weight in research groups were statistically significant (p<0.05). While the highest egg production was obtained in Group I which had the lowest hatch weight, the highest egg weight average was determined in group III which had the highest hatch weight. The differences between the groups in terms of values for some hatchability features (Hatchability performance, fertility rate and hatchability of fertile eggs) showed that hatch weight had significant effect on hatchability features (p<0.05). Among the egg quality features of the groups, the differences between the values for shape index, shell weight, shell thickness and haugh unit were found as significant and hatch weight was determined to have significant effect on these parameters (p<0.05). It was concluded that a selection program can be established in pheasants with the lowest hatch weight for the parameters of egg production, shell weight and shell thickness and in those with the highest hatch weight for the parameters of sexual maturity weight, egg weight, hatchability features, shape index and haugh unit. © Medwell Journals, 2011.