Developments In Layer Breeding

Abstract

In Türkiye, genetic research on egg production has been carried out by the Poultry Research Institute (PRI) since 1930. In 1995, 10 pure lines, including White Layers (Black, Brown, Blue and Maroon) and Brown Layers (Rır-I, Rır-II, Bar-I, Bar-II, Col. and Line-54), were brought to PRI from Canada. In 2010, 1 more white layer line (D-229) was brought from the Czech Republic. This line was selected for high egg production (D-229yyv) and low live weight (D-229dca) traits and two synthetic lines were created. Four layer hybrids named ATABEY, ATAK, ATAK-S and AKBAY have been registered from the existing lines. Breeding has been carried out on these lines for many years in terms of egg count, egg weight, age at sexual maturity and weight at sexual maturity. With these 4 basic features, the main target has been to increase the amount of eggs obtained per female in both pure lines and hybrids. In the last 10 years, 8.7, 10.9, 20.0, 13.7, 11.8, 12.7, 8.2, 9.4, 1.9, 18.9 and 14.3% progress has been achieved in the amount of eggs obtained per female in D-229yyv, D-229dca, Black, Blue, Maroon, Brown, COL., Line-54, Bar-I, Bar-II, Rır-I and Rır-II lines, respectively. As a result of the breeding activities it has carried out, PRI meets approximately 15% of the layer parents needed by our country. As a result, it is aimed to increase this required rate by further improving hybrid performances in the coming years with the breeding studies carried out.