ESTIMATIVAS DE PARÂMETROS GENÉTICOS PARA PESOS CORPORAIS EM PERDIZES (Rhynchotus rufescens) CRIADAS EM CATIVEIRO

Currently, the concern on different poultry market has increased and among several native species, partridge, (Rhynchotus rufescens) is good option as source of avian protein, showing excellent carcass performance. The aims of this paper were to study environmental and genetic factors those affect body weight on different ages in partridges, raised in captivity. Data were collected in the Wild Animal Section of Departamento de Zootecnia, located at Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (UNESP), at Jaboticabal - SP. Partridges were raised in a commercial avian barn and families were kept using 1 sire to 2 or 5 dams. Mattings were through natural ride. Eggs were collected daily, weighted, measured and identified by box and sire for pedigree control. Chick were identified and weighted at birth and weekly til get 30 weeks of age. Data set had 13,164 weights taken from 2000 to 2004. The statistical analyses were performed by least squares method and heritability estimated y the Maximum likelihood method. The overall means of 3(W3), 7 (W7), 14 (W14), 21 (W21), 28(W28), 35 (W35), 42 (W42), 49 (W49), 56 (W56), 63(W63), 70(W70), 77 (W77), 84 (W84), 91 (W91), 98 (W98), 105 (W105), 112 (W112), 119 (W119), 126 (W126), 133 (W133), 140 (W140), 147 (W147), 154 (W154), 161 (W161), 168 (W168), 175 (W175), 182 (W182), 189 (W189), 196 (W196), 203 (W203) and 210 (W210) days weight were 38.92g, 52.23g, 76.40g, 105.61g, 137.79g, 208.38g, 208.56g, 249.99g, 293.71g, 335.45g, 373.86g, 408.53g, 440.83g, 467.92g, 503.29g, 522.36g, 548.70g, 564.21g, 582.71g, 593.59g, 603.69g, 613.85g, 629.08g, 642.44g, 637.03g, 646.91g, 637.81g, 653.86g, 662.63, 663.19g and 667.385, respectively. The estimates of heritability to egg weight and weight at birth showed large genetic variability among birds and selection for weight at these ages could be done. The genetic and environmental effects are difficult to estimate in old ages and require more information to provide best estimates.