CHARACTERIZATION OF INDIGENOUS CHICKEN AND THEIR MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN HASSAN DISTRICT
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Date
2022
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KARNATAKA VETERINARY, ANIMAL AND FISHERIES SCIENCES UNIVERSITY, BIDAR
Abstract
Indigenous chicken (IC) plays an important role in rural household economics,
nutritional security, women empowerment and socio-cultural aspects of farmers in
developing countries. The present study was undertaken to characterize IC present in
different agro-climatic region of Hassan district and to document their management
practices. The agro-climatic zones consist of Central dry zone, Southern dry zone,
Central transitional zone and Hilly zone. Physical characters of IC were recorded in
118 male and 282 female birds from the above regions and 20 farmers from each
agro-climatic zone were interviewed through structured questionnaire schedule to
collect data on management practices. More women (58.75%) were involved in
rearing IC than men and average flock size was 23.16. Further 73.75% farmers
holding <2.5 acre of land were rearing more IC and 70% of farmers were having other
animal husbandry activities. Purpose of rearing indigenous chicken was for both own
consumption and sale (62.5%) and 47.5% kept chicken with other livestock or in
owner courtyard (26.25%). Only 8.75 per cent farmers vaccinate their flock and major
constraits of rearing IC was predator attack (77.5%). In the phenotypic characters all
male and female birds had normal feather morphology and only 5.1% in males and
2.13% in female IC had naked neck feather distribution. With respect to plumage
colour among males 28.81% red, 27.12% multi-colour and in female 30.85% black
and 27.30% brown were the major colours observed. Solid (58.47%) type plumage
pattern was dominant in males and whereas in females solid (36.87%) and dull
(36.88%) were predominated. White skin colour was most common in both male
(83.91%) and female birds (82.62%). Among the ear lobe red colour (85.59%)
observed in male IC whereas in female red (50.35%) and red and white colour
(43.26%) was observed. Colour of comb was 100% red in male and female IC and
single comb was dominant in male (93.22%) whereas in female both single comb
(49.29%) and pea comb (48.58%) was common. Brown colour eye (69.50%)
observed more in male, 53.19% brown and 38.3% grey eye was seen in female IC.
Study indicated IC in Hassan district had varied phenotypic characters and farmers
from different agro-climatic zones followed their own kind of management practices.