Abstract
The experiment was conducted on 102 chicks hatched from three egg weight groups, belonging to three commercial broiler strains, in order to study the effect of egg weight and Wain on the performance of broilers. The chicks hatched from large eggs on an average apparently bbovitcl higher weight gain, consumed ruorc feed and indicated some advantage in respect of feed efficiency as compared to those hatched from medium and small egg weight groups, but Ihe differences were statistically non-significant. The mortality percertage was apparently higher in chicks hatched from small eggs than those hatched from large and medium eggs, how-ever, the differences were non-significant. The monetary return per broiler was higher in case of chicks hatched from large eggs than those hatched from other two egg weight groups.
INTRODUCTION
Broiler production has considerably expanded during the last two decades since the start of commercial poultry industry in Pakistan. Further expanrio.n of the industry depends upon many factors like the availability of low priced day-old q u al ty chicks, more efficient and economical poultry feeds, enhanced growth and round the year marketing facilities. The quality of chicks, however, has not been generally uniform as a result of inadequate quality control measures especially with the increase in the number of hatcheries in the country. It is generally assumed that the weight of the egg deterniries the weight and quality of chick at hatching time, and is an aid in altering the post-embryonic growth of any species of birds. Jalal et al. (1972) and Ghani (198) observed a significant effect of egg weight on day-old chick weight. Chicks hatched from larger eggs had the highest weight than those hatched from medium. and small eggs.
