Authors: KEMAL KIRIKÇI, CAFER TEPELİ, AYTEKİN GÜNLÜ, ORHAN ÇETİN
Abstract: In this study, the egg production and hatchability characteristics of pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) mated in cages and as a free flock in closed pens were investigated. For this purpose 6 males and 30 females in a ratio of 1 male to 5 females were mated in cages and 4 males and 20 females were mated as a free flock in closed pens. The egg production (%), damaged egg rate, mortality rate, fertility, hatchability and hatchability of fertile eggs were determined as 32.84 and 19.38%, 28.63 and 36.34%, 26.67 and 30.00%, 61.09 and 47.27%, 49.55 and 29.46% and 54.36 and 41.54%, respectively. The differences in egg production (%), damaged egg rate, mortality rate, fertility and hatchability of the total number of eggs in the groups were significant (P < 0.01). The hatchability levels of fertile eggs were different and statistically significant (P < 0.05). In conclusion, pheasant breeding in closed areas is not appropriate. The optimum closed area needed must be investigated. The hatching conditions of pheasant eggs should also be carefully controlled.
Keywords: Pheasant, breeding, production characteristics.
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