Assessment of growth and laying performance of local village chicken in Malaysia

Julie Marzlinda M. R., . and Azlina Azma I. A., . and Nooraisyah S., . and Mohd Hafizzudin A., . and Abdul Mu’in H. B., . and Azrikin Shah A., . and Muhammad Syafri Famin A. A., . and Muhammad Khairul Azwan M., . and Syahirah M. Y., . and Nurul Akmal C. A., . and Muhammad Nazri I., . (2024) Assessment of growth and laying performance of local village chicken in Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Animal Science (Malaysia), 27 (1). pp. 51-58. ISSN 2550-2123

Local village chickens are vital for household food security in Malaysia but typically show lower egg production compared to commercial breeds. This study evaluated the growth and laying performance of three pure-line village chicken breeds (Lines A, B, and D) at MARDI Kluang. Body weight and pin bone width were measured to assess growth performance and reproductive maturity, while Hen-Day Egg Production (HDEP) was used to evaluate laying performance. Findings showed no significant differences in body weight between all lines. However, Line A tended to be heavier than Lines B and D during the grower stage (10-16 weeks) and the layering stage (24-52 weeks). Pin bone measurements taken at 20 weeks indicated that Lines B and D had pin bone spacings of 4.08 ±0.19 cm and 4.17 ± 0.16 cm, respectively, while Line A reached a similar spacing at 22 weeks. HDEP analysis showed that Lines B and D were more productive, achieving peak production earlier at the age of 22 and 23 weeks, with values were 74.92% and 69.74% respectively, as Line A peaked at 67.37% at 28 weeks. These findings indicate that Lines B and D are more efficient for early egg production and reach sexual maturity earlier. This provides valuable insights for selective breeding strategies to enhance productivity among village chickens.

Full text available from: Official URL: https://mjas.my/mjas-v2/rf/pages/journal/v27i1/5.%...

Abstract

Local village chickens are vital for household food security in Malaysia but typically show lower egg production compared to commercial breeds. This study evaluated the growth and laying performance of three pure-line village chicken breeds (Lines A, B, and D) at MARDI Kluang. Body weight and pin bone width were measured to assess growth performance and reproductive maturity, while Hen-Day Egg Production (HDEP) was used to evaluate laying performance. Findings showed no significant differences in body weight between all lines. However, Line A tended to be heavier than Lines B and D during the grower stage (10-16 weeks) and the layering stage (24-52 weeks). Pin bone measurements taken at 20 weeks indicated that Lines B and D had pin bone spacings of 4.08 ±0.19 cm and 4.17 ± 0.16 cm, respectively, while Line A reached a similar spacing at 22 weeks. HDEP analysis showed that Lines B and D were more productive, achieving peak production earlier at the age of 22 and 23 weeks, with values were 74.92% and 69.74% respectively, as Line A peaked at 67.37% at 28 weeks. These findings indicate that Lines B and D are more efficient for early egg production and reach sexual maturity earlier. This provides valuable insights for selective breeding strategies to enhance productivity among village chickens.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	chicken breeds
AGROVOC Term:	eggs
AGROVOC Term:	performance testing
AGROVOC Term:	selective breeding
AGROVOC Term:	sexual maturity
AGROVOC Term:	laying performance
AGROVOC Term:	egg production
AGROVOC Term:	body weight
Geographical Term:	Malaysia
Depositing User:	Ms. Azariah Hashim
Date Deposited:	29 Jul 2026 02:51
Last Modified:	29 Jul 2026 02:51
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/3552

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