• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.83-95
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• 2024

This study aimed to assess the performance of laying hens across twelve crossbreed strains (i.e., CFCK, CFYC, CFYD, CKCF, CKYC, CKYD, YCYD, YCCF, YCCK, YDCF, YDCK, and YDYC) of Korean native chicken (KNC) and compare them with Hy-Line Brown layers. A total of 287 18-week-old laying hens were placed in battery cages by strains (2-5 birds per pen). Results indicated that the YCYD and YDYC strains exhibited numerically heavier body weights than Hy-Line Brown at week 18-64. CKYC and YDYC strains demonstrated more than 94% viability by week 64. The CFYC strain had an age of first egg laying of 127 days, and the YDCF strain reached an age of 50% egg production at 140 days, both earlier than their parent stock. The YDCF strain showed over 70% egg production for up to 60 weeks. Regarding egg quality, the CKCF and YCCF strains had numerically higher egg weights among the KNC groups at week 24-64, with the YDYC strain showing a darker (P<0.05) eggshell color compared to CKCF at week 40. Moreover, KNC crossbreeds showed a higher (P<0.05) egg yolk ratio than Hy-Line Brown. In conclusion, the YDCF and YCCF crossbreeds exhibited the most desirable new synthetic Korean native commercial layer based on egg production and quality parameters. Therefore, these strains could be a viable substitute for Hy-Line Brown layers.