Genetic parameters for production characteristics in male lineage of arrays of broilers: heritabilities and correlations

Abstract

Estimates of genetic parameters for production traits in the lineage of arrays of broiler chickens were obtained from a database supplied by Embrapa Swine and Poultry, Concórdia/SC. The characteristics evaluated were: body weight at 42 days old (P42 ), breast length (CPeito), greater width (Larg1) and smaller width (Larg2) of the breast at 42 days, fertility (Fert), hatchability (Eclod), birth (Nasc), weight at 49 days (P49), gain weight (GP) and feed conversion (CA) between days 43 and 49. The estimates of heritability were considered low to moderate, changing from 0.0103 to 0.5352. The values with moderate to high heritability respond better to selection, while the low heritability respond to environmental variation. The values of heritability from fertility, weight gain, feed conversion, birth and weight at 49 days were: 0.0103 ± 0.190, 0.044 ± 0.0757, 0.0912 ± 0.043, 0.218 ± 0.0930, 0.1472 ± 0.053, respectively; and 0.2794 ± 0.057, 0.061 ± 0.2943, 0.3484 ± 0.06, in smaller width, greater width and weight at 42 days. High estimates of heritability were found in hatchability and length of breast, with the values of 0.5053 ± 0.5352 ± 0.334 and 0.066, respectively.