Abstract
This study was conducted to estimate the hatching and growing performance, and heterosis of Korean Native Chicken(KNC), Rhode Island Red(RIR) and KNC XRIR crossbred. A total of 1,274 female pullets were produced from KNC, RIR and KNC x RIR crossbred kept in National Live-stock Research Institute, Korea. The experiment was conducted for 20 weeks from Sep. 2, 1995 to Jan. 20,1996. Hatchabilities of KNC dark brown strain x RlR(DR), KNC light brown strain x RlR (LR) and KNC dark black strain x RlR(BR) were 77.3%, 73.6% and 72.5%, respectively. Viabilities up to 20 weeks of age were not significantly (P>0.05) different among purebreds and crossbred. Body weights of DR, LR and BR were 1,890 g, 1,849 g and 1,967 g, respectively, at 20 weeks of age. The feed conversion ratio(feed /gain) of DR, LR, and BR were 5.88, 6.07 and 5.87, respectively, up to 20 weeks of age. Average shank lengths of DR, LR and BR were 97.1 mm, 98.9 mm and 99.4 mm, respectively, at 20 weeks of age. The heterosis effects were estimated to be -0. 48%, and 12.58%, respectively, in fertility and hatchability. Up to 20 weeks of age, the heterosis effects were estimated to be 0.07%, 13.49%, -5.77%, and 3.52% in viability, body weight, feed conversion ratio, and shank length, respectively.
