Madurez sexual e indicadores asociados en dos genotipos de gallinas bajo diferentes programas de alimentación

The aim of the present study was to evaluate body weight, corporal condition, zoometric indicators and age at sexual maturity in two genotypes of Campero INTA breeders under two raising feeding programs. We worked with 400 pullets from 2 genotypes (synthetic E and the hybrid ES*A) that received two nutritional levels (control and treated) between weeks 5 and 22. At 22 weeks a statistically significant interaction was observed (p<0,0001) for body weight. In the control group the birds of the ES*A genotype were heavier than the population E (ES*A 2,288 g vs. E 2,133 g), while in the treated group the birds of the genotype E were heavier than the population ES*A (ES*A 2,313 g vs. E 2,348 g). The comb index recorded significant differences between genotypes (p<0.0001) and feeding programs (p<0.0001). The feeding program induced an advance of the onset to sexual maturity in days for both populations (p=0.009), with values of 165 ± 2.83 (ES*A Control), 156 ± 2.83 (ES*A Treated), 164 ± 0.00 (E Control) and 157 ± 2.83 (E Treated). We concluded that different food assignments during the raising period impact on the body weight and the zoometric indicators in the maternal genotypes of the Campero INTA chicken and its crossings, with marked differences in the degree of integration between body weight and reproductive development between both genotypes. The higher allocation produces an advance at the entrance of sexual maturity.