Live Weight Uniformity on The Day-Old Chick of Indonesian Local Chickens

Abstract

The uniformity of live weight in the early stage (DOC) is an indicator applied to evaluate the quality of brooding, raising, and growth management. This study aims to compare the live weight uniformity of DOC in three local breeds as a parental group, namely Merawang A and B (n:196), Murung Panggang (n:157), and KUB (n:416), as well as in five groups of Bulaksumur (BS) for crossbred group, namely BS-1 (n:136), BS-2 (n:76), BS-3 (n:106), BS-5 (n:81), BS-6 (n:164). The live weight data of DOC was obtained in Gunungkidul Regency under similar management. The results show that the BS groups had higher live weight (31.9 g ± 3.1) compared to Merawang A (24 g ± 3.1), Murung Panggang (28.2 g ± 2.3), and KUB (28.1 g ± 2.8). Furthermore, the live weight uniformity on the BS DOC averaged 71% across all groups, with the highest uniformity being BS-3 (87%). Murung Panggang had a higher live weight uniformity (82%) compared to Merawang A and B (42%, 64%) and KUB (63%). The average coefficient variance was less than 10%, except for Merawang A and BS-2 with 13.09% and 11.35%, respectively. In conclusion, the DOC of the crossbred (BS) was more uniform than its parental groups. However, to distinguish the significantly different in the chicken live weight in early stage, further analysis needs to be conducted in the future.

Full text

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Malaysian Applied Biology (2023) 52(2): 153-156
https://doi.org/10.55230/mabjournal.v52i2.2599
The organism’s performance in the eld, including chicken, was a󰀨ected
by ock uniformity. Meanwhile, low chicken uniformity a󰀨ects breeding
and reproduction (Sutopo et al., 2021). The low uniformity from the
genetic point of view is derived from the poor selection program (Zen et
al., 2020). Therefore, the uniformity of chicken needs to be measured
to perform an appropriate selection. Flock uniformity shows the percent
of individuals within 10% of the mean body weight and variability,
expressed by the coe󰀩cient of variation (CV) of the individual body
weights. A high CV may imply poor ock uniformity, associated with less
e󰀩cient growth, increased mortality, increased feed conversion ratio
(poor FCR), reduced growth rate, and bird rejection (Vasdal et al., 2019).
The performance of a poor chicken’s slaughter is inferred from the poor
live weight uniformity of the ock. Consequently, the slaughterhouse
cannot meet the market’s demand, resulting in economic losses.
Thus, uniformity is a key performance indicator and economic driver in
commercial practice (Hughes et al., 2017).
Uniform ocks have several management benets, including
assisting in the management of large groups that are simultaneously
exposed to changes such as lighting, feeding, and environment, as
well as ensuring the birds achieve an e󰀨ective performance close to
their genetic potential (Kosba et al., 2010). The quality of day-old chick
plays an essential role in breeding success and chicken productivity
(Junnu & Pohuang, 2019). Uniformity has a signicant inuence on the
growth and nal growth performance of the poultry, and the weight of
the chicken is generally used as an indicator of the quality of the chick.
The amount of competition may be reduced by raising the homogeneity
of the weight of the chicken entering the processing unit or by improving
the uniformity of the chicks or initial weight segregation, especially in
chicks from small eggs or young ocks (Kosba et al., 2010; Neto et
al., 2013). Although uniformity is an essential aspect of production,
especially within the ock, little attention has been paid to it by most
poultry producers (Abbas et al., 2010).
Article History
Accepted: 9 June 2023
First version online: 30 June 2023
Cite This Article:
Saraswati, Y.V., Mustofa, F., Sari, A.P.Z.N.L.,
Sasongko, H., Ariyadi, B. & Maharani, D.
2023. Live weight uniformity on the day-old
chick of Indonesian local chickens. Malaysian
Applied Biology, 52(2): 153-156. https://doi.
org/10.55230/mabjournal.v52i2.2599
Copyright
© 2023 Malaysian Society of Applied Biology
Research Note
Live Weight Uniformity on The Day-Old Chick of Indonesian
Local Chickens
Yesita Vera Saraswati¹, Fatmawati Mustofa¹, Aprilianna Putri Zahara Nafsina Luvita Sari¹, Heru
Sasongko², Bambang Ariyadi² and Dyah Maharani1*
1. Department of Animal Breeding and Reproduction, Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta,
Indonesia
2. Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Corresponding author: d.maharani@ugm.ac.id
ABSTRACT
The uniformity of live weight in the early stage (DOC) is an indicator applied to evaluate the quality of brooding,
raising, and growth management. This study aims to compare the live weight uniformity of DOC in three local
breeds as a parental group, namely Merawang A and B (n:196), Murung Panggang (n:157), and KUB (n:416), as
well as in ve groups of Bulaksumur (BS) for crossbred group, namely BS-1 (n:136), BS-2 (n:76), BS-3 (n:106),
BS-5 (n:81), BS-6 (n:164). The live weight data of DOC was obtained in Gunungkidul Regency under similar
management. The results show that the BS groups had higher live weight (31.9 g ± 3.1) compared to Merawang A
(24 g ± 3.1), Murung Panggang (28.2 g ± 2.3), and KUB (28.1 g ± 2.8). Furthermore, the live weight uniformity on
the BS DOC averaged 71% across all groups, with the highest uniformity being BS-3 (87%). Murung Panggang had
a higher live weight uniformity (82%) compared to Merawang A and B (42%, 64%) and KUB (63%). The average
coe󰀩cient variance was less than 10%, except for Merawang A and BS-2 with 13.09% and 11.35%, respectively. In
conclusion, the DOC of the crossbred (BS) was more uniform than its parental groups. However, to distinguish the
signicantly di󰀨erent in the chicken live weight in early stage, further analysis needs to be conducted in the future.
Key words: Bulaksumur, DOC, live weight, local chicken, uniformity

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Saraswati et al., 2023 Malaysian Applied Biology
For local marginal communities in developing nations with limited resources, local chickens are a source
of money and protein. Because their meat is so tender, local chickens are favored over exotic kinds (Mengesha,
2012; Liswaniso et al., 2020). Local farmers rely on chicken sales as a source of revenue on an economic basis.
The benet in this aspect is that most of these hens are raised at low cost, making them a󰀨ordable for practically
any household (Manyelo et al., 2020). Local chickens have the potency to be commercialized, but the limitation
is their slow growth rate. Selection and crossbreeding are performed to produce a high-performing local chicken
breed (Darwati et al., 2015). The aim of this study was to identify the uniformity in the live weight of the local breeds
and the crossbreds of Indonesian local chickens.
The research was conducted in Mijahan, Semanu, Gunungkidul Regency. This study used the parental
group consisting of three local Indonesian chickens, namely, Merawang, Murung Panggang, and KUB which
produced ve Bulaksumur chickens by crossbreeding. The parental group chickens used were 32-36 weeks old
while their o󰀨springs were one day old. We identied the average egg weight for the parental chicken groups
i.e. 43.79 g (Merawang), 45.92 g (KUB), and 44.62 g (Murung Panggang). While the average egg weight for BS
chicken groups were 44.26 g (BS-1), 43.51 g (BS-2), 48.86 g (BS-3), 43.96 g (BS-5), and 47.31 g (BS-6). All
samples were reared under similar management and in a battery cage. The total number of Merawang A and B,
Murung Panggang, and KUB were 196, 157, and 416 chickens, respectively. Meanwhile, the crossbred comprises
136 of BS-1, 76 of BS-2, 106 of BS-3, 81 of BS-5, and 164 of BS-6.
In order to produce BS chickens, the mating patterns among the local chickens were, Merawang A (male)
× KUB 1 (female) for BS-1, Merawang B (male) × KUB 1 (female) for BS-2, Murung Panggang (male) × KUB 1
(female) for BS-3, Merawang B (male) × KUB 2 (female) for BS-5, and Murung Panggang (male) × KUB 2 (female)
for BS-6. The live weight data of the day-old chicks of each breed and cross was measured using a digital scale
with 1 g sensitivity.
The live weights data was tabulated in Excel, and the uniformity of the day-old chicks for every group was
analyzed. This study used descriptive statistics, including mean with its standard deviation, mean + 10%, mean -
10%, the number of birds in the range, CV, and uniformity. The following mathematical model was used to analyze
the CV and uniformity.
Standard deviation
(%) 100
Mean of body weight
CV = ×
Number of birds in the range
(%) 100
Birds weighed
Uniformity
= ×
The measurement of live weight uniformity was performed to evaluate the ock condition from the early
stage (DOC). The collected data served as an indicator for evaluating the farm management and as the basic data
for selecting the crossbred local chickens from their parental groups (local breeds) to improve the genetic quality.
Furthermore, the local chickens were of three groups, namely Merawang which is divided into A and B, Murung
Panggang, and KUB. The results of the local crossing chicken were BS-1, BS-2, BS-3, BS-5, and BS-6. The
analysis of live weights data showed that the BS chicken groups had a higher live weight (31.9 g ± 3.1) compared
to Merawang (24 g ± 3.1–36.1 g ± 3.6), Murung Panggang (28.2 g ± 2.3) and KUB (28.1 g ± 2.8) chickens. Hence,
it showed that the live weight tends to improve after crossbreeding, which also enhances the genetic quality of local
chickens and results in higher live weight on the crossbred DOC (Darwati et al., 2018).
The parental chicken groups were used because of their superior traits. Male Merawang chickens can
weigh up to 2.41 kg, while females can weigh up to 1.81 kg. Additionally, intensively raised Merawang chickens
grew more quickly than those raised using traditional methods (Sartika, 2018; Nuraini et al., 2021). While another
parental group, Murung Panggang chicken, originating in South Kalimantan, were primarily dark or black in color,
mature at 5 months, and can weigh up to 4 kg (Suryana, 2014; Mustofa et al., 2021). Meanwhile, the selective
range chicken known as Kampung Unggul Balitbangtan (KUB) had a high egg production rate and is often used
as dual purposes chicken both for meat and egg (Rubianti et al., 2021; Masito et al., 2022). Those superior traits
from the parental lines potentially supported the genetic improvement in the crossbred chickens. O󰀨spring from
crossbreeding will have favorable genes for growth, high levels of reproduction, high egg output, and good meat
quality (Rowianti et al., 2021). According to Lapihu et al. (2019), chicken breeds had an impact on the growth of
crossbred chickens. The result of the higher rate of weight gain was caused by heterosis. When compared to the
average value of both parents, heterosis is the term used to describe a rise in the character value of F1 hybrids
(Begna, 2021). Sapkota et al. (2020) reported the results of studies related to selective breeding have improved
the production, reproduction, and endurance performance of local Sakini chickens from Generation 0-3. The study
explained that there was an increase in egg-laying weight, egg production, and endurance of Sakini chickens from
the G0-G3 generation. Another study showed that the number of yearly eggs produced by crossbreeding Aseel
and Dahlem Red rose from 91 to 189 eggs (Padhi, 2016). There was also a case where Horro x Rohde Iceland
crossbreeding produced improved body weight performance (Wondmeneh, 2015). Due to its quick results and
possible advantages for poor farmers engaged in small-scale poultry production, crossbreeding is still a viable
method for improving chicken genetics (Fulla, 2022). In this study, the mean of the body weight had increased
for all groups in the crossbred lines and the live weight uniformity on DOC of BS chickens was 71% on average
for all groups. Furthermore, this varied from the BS-1, BS-2, BS-3, BS-5, and BS-6. BS-3 had the highest live
weight uniformity at 87%, while BS-2 and BS-5 had the lowest uniformity at 57%. Among the local chickens,
Murung Panggang had higher live weight uniformity 82% compared to Merawang and KUB with 42%–64% and
63%, respectively. The BS-3 crossbred chicken and the Murung Panggang local chicken had good live weight
uniformity of DOC. The level of uniformity reached 80% because the brooding period is the rst basis for uniformity

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in the subsequent period (Wardi et al., 2019). Furthermore, DOC’s uniformity is important as it contributes to the
economic e󰀩ciency of the ock and is essential for the production of excellent quality chicks (Augusto et al., 2019).
From this point, rearing the high uniformity DOC group o󰀨ers better production prospects than the low live weight
uniformity group. Besides the uniformity analysis, the CV was performed, which shows an average of less than
10% for all groups except Merawang A and BS-2 with 13.09% and 11.35%, respectively. Low uniformity is relatively
shown by CV 10% (Hughes & Wilkinson, 2021), hence, the live weight uniformity results are associated with the
CV. Additionally, the group of chickens with good uniformity has a good CV. This emphasizes that the results of
the crossbreeding activity improve the live weight and the uniformity of the local chickens used in this study. Table
1 shows detailed information about the live weight uniformity of the day-old chicks of local Indonesian chickens.
Table 1. Live weight uniformity on the day-old chicks of local Indonesian chickens
Chicken breeds Mean (g) Uniformity (%) Coe󰀩cient of variation (CV) (%)
Local breeds
Merawang A (n=77) 24 ± 3.1 42 13.09
Merawang B (n=119) 36.1 ± 3.6 64 9.88
Murung Panggang (n=157) 28.2 ± 2.3 82 8.20
KUB (n=416) 28.1 ± 2.8 63 9.96
Crossbreds
BS-1 (n=136) 32.3 ± 3.0 67 9.23
BS-2 (n=76) 31.3 ± 3.6 57 11.35
BS-3 (n=106) 32.6 ± 2.3 87 7.17
BS-5 (n=81) 32.6 ± 3.2 57 9.94
BS-6 (n=164) 30.9 ± 3.0 79 9.75
All BS chickens (n=563) 31.9 ± 3.1 71 9.68
CONCLUSION
Based on this study, the BS-3 has the highest live weight uniformity among the BS groups, while the BS-2 and
the BS-5 have the lowest uniformity level (57%). This study has identied that the live weight in the early stage
(DOC) of the crossbred (BS) was more uniform compared to their parental groups, indicating that the uniformity
is increased in the crossbred. This can be benecial information in breeding management. To distinguish the
signicantly di󰀨erent in the chicken live weight in the early stage, further analysis needs to be conducted in the
future.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors are grateful to The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Indonesian: Kementerian
Pendidikan, Kebudayaan, Riset, dan Teknologi, abbreviated Kemdikbudristek) in the aster Program of Education
Leading to Doctoral Degree for Excellent Graduates (Indonesian: Pendidikan Magister menuju Doktor untuk
Sarjana Unggul) for their support.
ETHICAL STATEMENT
The experimental method was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
Universitas Gadjah Mada (00033/EC-FKH/Eks./2021).
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare no conict of interest.
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