Assessment of appearance characteristic and production performance of VCN-G15 and VCN-Z15 chickens
The study was conducted to evaluate the appearance characteristics, feather color, skin and leg traits, and productive performance of VCN-G15 chickens after long-term introduction into Vietnam (imported during 2007 - 2008). Ther study was conducted using observation, recording, photography, an video recoding at various points in time at 1 day old or at 8 weeks old, 20 weeks old, or at the time of farrowing, the economic and technical indicators are determined accoding to Viet Nam mese standard: 1347-1:2022. Results indicated that adult VCN-G15 chickens exhibited completely white plumage, opaque white legs, and a single red comb. As an egg-type breed, the average body weight at 20 weeks of age was 1,539.33 g in males and 1,221.33 g in female. Egg production per hen up to 68 weeks of age averaged 233.01 eggs. Feed consumption was 1.61 kg per 10 eggs, and the mean egg weight at 38 weeks of age was 57.21 g; eggs were white-shelled with relatively thin shells. VCN-Z15 chickens are classified as a dual-purpose breed. Hens exhibited brown plumage with yellow hackle feathers bearing black spots, whereas roosters showed brown plumage, yellow hackle feathers, blue-black tail feathers, yellow legs, and a single red comb. At 20 weeks of age, the average body weight was 1,685.67 g in males and 1,340.00 g in females. Egg production per hen up to 68 weeks of age averaged 164.55 eggs. Feed consumption was 2.28 kg per 10 eggs, and the mean egg weight at 38 weeks of age was 51.69 g; eggs were white-shelled. Further research is needed to improve the productivity and weight gain of these two chicken breeds.
