Study on the Characteristics of the Early Growth and Development of Nami Chicken

PurposesIn order to study the growth and development characteristics of Nami chicken.

MethodsThree nonlinear curve model commonly used Gompertz, Logistic and Von Bertalanffy, were used to fit and analyze the weight of Nami chicken at the age of 0-210 days.

ResultsThe cumulative growth curve of Nami chicken showed “S” shape, indicating that its growth and development was normal. This curve showed that the growth rate was slow before 60 days of age, and fast at the age of 60 to 120 days, and slowed down gradually after 120 days of age. Before 60 days old, the accumulative growth weight of cocks and hens was basically the same, and after 60 days old, the growth rate of cocks was significantly faster than hens. The three curve models could well fit the growth and development of the cocks and hens, and the fitting degree was more than 0.99. The fitting value of Gompertz model to cocks was the closest to the actual value, and Von Bertalanffy model was the closest to the actual value of hens, which indicate that Gompertz model has higher fitting degree for the weight of cocks (R²=0.998) and Von Bertalanffy model has higher fitting degree for the weight of hens (R²=1.000).

ConclusionThis study reveals the characteristics of early growth and development of Nami chicken, which shows that it is feasible to fit and analyze the growth curve of Nami chicken by using Gompertz and Von Bertalanffy model. The results in this study can provide a basis for the feeding, management, breeding and utilization of Nami chicken.