Evaluating the growth and production performance of Indian river layer parent stock across key life phases

Abstract

This study evaluates the production performance of Indian River layer parent stock across brooder (0-6 weeks), grower (7-15 weeks), and layer (35 61 weeks) stages under Sri Lankan farm conditions. Key parameter - body weight (BW), weight gain (WG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and mortality-were monitored. Results indicated significant sexual dimorphism, with males achieving higher BW at all stages, while females exhibited higher FI during lay. FCR increased with age, reflecting greater maintenance and reproductive demands. A critical finding was the strong negative correlation between the Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) and performance metrics (BW, WG, FI, FCR), while THI was positively correlated with mortality. performance Furthermore, profoundly early-life influenced later productivity; higher WG and FI during the brooder stage were negatively correlated with subsequent egg production and egg weight, whereas a better brooder-stage FCR was positively correlated. The study concludes that optimizing early-growth management and mitigating heat stress are essential for maximizing the reproductive performance and sustainability of Indian River parent stock in tropical climates.