Determination of the propitious age for gonadectomy in Creole chickens

Abstract

The objective of the research was to improve the productive parameters in Creole chickens through gonadectomy in the Tungurahua Province, Ecuador. A completely randomized design with three treatments and a control was used, the results were subjected to an analysis of variance (ADEVA) for the separation of means and the Tukey test of 5%, the factors under study were: T1 (8), T2(9) and T3 (10), castrated weeks of age, and uncastrated chickens (20 birds / treatment), with a productive period after castration of 12 weeks. Weight gain 12 weeks after castration was higher in chickens operated on at 8 weeks of age, (343.6 g bird / week, p <0.05). The lowest feed consumption was in week 3 post castration (p <0.05). Roosters castrated at 8 and 9 weeks had better feed conversion (6.33 and 6.53, respectively) (p <0.05). Carcass yield was higher in castrated roosters compared to the uncastrated control group (p <0.01). The mortality. It was better in T1 (8 weeks old) with 0%. For this reason, the application of the surgical technique performed at of age is the most recommended.

Keywords

• food consumption
• feed conversion
• castration
• weight gain
• mortality
• yield to the carcass.