Performance of crossbred colour line and austra-white chicken for layer traits
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Date
2003
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Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy
Abstract
An experiment was conducted at Kerala Agricultural University Poultry
Farm, Mannuthy, to evaluate and compare the production traits of Austra- White
and Colourline under farm conditions. One hundred pullets of each crossbred
were housed in identical pens (ten birds each) and production performance was
evaluated for five periods (each 28 days) from 21 to 40 weeks of age. Standard
feeding and managemental practices were followed throughout the study.
The Colourline birds were heavier than Austra- White at 20 and 40 weeks
of age. The mean body weight for Colourline and Austra-White was 1493.65 ±
14.02 g vs. 1215.60 ± 20.61 g and 1863.15 ± 13.46 vs. 1424.40 ± 28.01 at 20 and
40 weeks of age, respectively. The age at first egg was similar in Austra- White
(158.9 ± 2.26 days) and Colourline (158.9 ± 1.96 days). The age at 50 per cent
production was 177.7 ± 1.37 days in Austra-White and 175.1 ± 1.28 days in
Colourline. The overall mean hen housed number up to 40 weeks of age was
74.31 in Austra- White and 77 .59 in Colourline. The hen day production was
74.88 in Austra-White and 77.71 in Colourline. The overall mean egg weight was
47.12 ± 1.05 gin Austra-White and 44.76 ± 1.29 gin Colourline
The mean daily feed consumption from 21 to 40 weeks of age was 104.07
± 4.16 g in Austra-White and 106.46 ± 4.37 g in Colourline. The feed conversion
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ratio was 2.07 ± 0.18 (per dozen eggs) in Austra- White and 1.98 ± 0.18 (per dozen
eggs) in Colourline, 3.59 ± 0.33 (per kg egg mass) in Austra-White and 3.59 ±
0.35 (per kg egg mass) in Colourline. The shape index was 76.25 ± 0.37 in
Austra-White and 77.67 ± 0.33 in Colourline. The albumen index was 0.1080 ±
0.004 in Austra-White and 0.1142 ± 0.002 in Colourline. The yolk index was
0.4257 ± 0.007 in Austra-White and 0.4439 ± 0.007 in Colourline. The shell
thickness was 0.3889 ± 0.117 mm in Austra-White and 0.3638 ± 0.006 mm in
Colourline. The Haugh Unit score was 88.06 ± 1.39 in Austra- White and 90.52 ±
0.91 in Colourline. Austra- White had uniform plumage pattern with black spots
on a dull white background on all parts of the body and ColourIine were
multicoloured with various feather patterns. Egg shell was tinted in Austra- White
while Colourline eggs were brown. The livability was 97 per cent in Austra-
White and 99 per cent in Colourline. The cost of feed consumed per egg was 181
paise in Austra- White and 176 paise in Colourline. The results indicated that the
Colourline might be utilised for rearing in backyard.
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Citation
172180