Effect of Sex and Day-Old Weight on Subsequent Body Weight and Body Mass Index in Commercial Broilers

It is important to study the effect of sex and day-old weight on subsequent weight and body mass index. This study was conducted during the period from 15/10 to 27/11/2017. A total of 79 broiler chicks (Ross 308) (35 male and 44 female) cut was used. Results revealed that the effect of sex was not significant on the body weight of birds at the first, second, third, fourth weeks, whereas the effect was significant (P< 0.05) on the body weight at 5th week (1648.28 g in males vs 1534.97 g in females). In regards with the effect of the day-old weight the effect was significant (P<0.05) on the body weight for all the five weeks. The body weight of chicks with the highest day-old weight showed the highest body weight at 4th and 5th weeks. Also, the results showed that the effect of sex was not significant on the body mass index (BMI) at the first, second, third, and fourth weeks, while the effect was significant (P<0.05) at the 5th week. The effect of the day-old weight was significant (P<0.05) on the BMI at the 1st , 2nd and 5th weeks. In conclusion: The two studied factors should be taken in our consideration to increase the production and then increase the profitability of broiler projects.