PERFORMANCE OF CROSSES OF INDIGENOUS NAKED NECK WITH WHITE LEGHORN AND NEW HAMPSHIRE
Loading...
Date
2000-12
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES Mannuthy - Thrissur
Abstract
An experiment was conducted at Kerala Agricultural University Poultry Farm
Mannuthy, to evaluate and compare the production traits of Naked Neck x While
Leghorn (NNWL) and Naked Neck x New Hampshire (NNNH) crosses under deep
litter system of rearing from 20 to 40 weeks age. Seventy five pullets of each cross
were housed in identical pens of 15 birds each and production performance was
evaluated for five 28- day periods from February to .Inly 1999. Standard feedinu and
managcmcntal practices were followed througliout the study.
The NNNH were heavier than NNWL at 20 weeks of age (1855.6 vs 1496.1gj
and at 40 weeks of age (2436.7 and 2004. Ig). The age at first egg of 146.8±L48 days
in NNNH was significantly earlier than 152±1.3days in NNWL. The age at 50 per
cent production was similar in NNWL (162.4 H.92 days) and NNNH (164.6 +1.7
days). The week-wise mean hen housed production in NNWL reached a peak of 80.57
per cent at 26"' week of age, while NNNH attained a peak of 81.0 per cent at 28"'
week of age. The overall mean hen housed number up to 40 weeks of age was 86.39
in NNWL and 83.85 in NNNH. Hen day production remained the same as hen housed
production up to 39"' week of age and the overall trend was similar.
The daily teed consumption from 21 to 40 weeks of age was 124.83g m
NNWL and 125.14g in NNNH. The feed conversion ratio per dozen eggs was 2.89 tor
NNWL and 3.01 for NNNFl. Broodiness was shown by nine birds in NNWL for
durations ranging from 9 to 63 days while eight birds in NNNH were broody for
durations ranging from 22 to 69 days. The mean egg weight from 21 - 40 weeks was
48.73g in NNWL and 48.44 g in NNNH. The shell thiekness was 0.376 mm m
NNWL and 0.373 in NNNH. The Haugh unit seore was 84.78 m NNWL ami 88.00 in
NNNH. The plumage Colour in NNWL was off white, but a few birds showed
brownish colour on wing feathers. 90 per cent of the NNNH birds had chestnut
coloured plumage resembling New Hampshire birds while the rest were multi
coloured resembling indigenous Naked Neck lerds. Lgg shel l was tinted in NNWh.
while NNNH eggs were brown or shades of brown. Tlie l i\ ahil ii\' was 98.1' pereeni
in NNWL, while it was 100 per cent in NNNH. The cost of feed eonsumed per cgu
was 202.12 paise for NNWL and 208.94 paise lor NNNH for the entire course of the
study.
Both NNWL and NNNH cross had statistically comparable hen housed
production, egg weight, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio. Both the crosses
had excellent livability and good egg quality. However a significantly higher body
weight both at 20 and 40 weeks of age, earlier average age at first egg, coloured
plumage pattern, and brown shelled eggs in NNNH cross are much preferred by rural
farmers. The results of the present study warrants further studies on Naked Neck x
New Hampshire cross under field conditimis.
Description
Keywords
null
Citation
KVASU reference style