EVALUATION OF PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF ATHULYA (IWN X IWP), NATIVE AND IWN X NATIVE CROSSBRED LAYERS UNDER BACKYARD SYSTEM
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Date
2021-11-30
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COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES MANNUTHY, THRISSUR
Abstract
An experiment was conducted to evaluate the production
performance of Athulya, native and IWN x native crossbred layers under
backyard system. The IWN and IWP strains used for producing Athulya in
the present study belonged to S31 generation and the native bird evaluated
belonged to S4 generation of the native chicken which were maintained at
AICRP on Poultry for Eggs, Mannuthy. The IWN x native crossbreds were
produced by crossing IWN strain of White Leghorn belonging to S 31
generation and native birds belonging to S 4 generation. One hundred, day old female chicks of each group were reared up to 14 weeks of age under
deep litter system at AICRP on Poultry for Eggs, Mannuthy before
distributing to households. Thirty households from Subash nagar and
Kozhukully area of Thrissur district were selected for the study. At 14
weeks of age, 50 birds from each group were randomly selected and allotted
to 10 households as a set of five to each. Thus total 150 birds were
distributed among 30 households.The production performances of the birds
were evaluated from 15 to 40 weeks of age.
The body weight was found to be significantly higher (p<0.01) for
Athulya than other two groups at all ages. The IWN x native crossbreds laid
first egg earlier followed by Athulya and native birds. The overall egg
production was similar among the three groups. The egg weight was
significantly (p<0.01) higher for Athulya at 28 and 40 weeks of age and was
higher for IWN x native birds than native birds at 28 weeks of age. The
haugh unit and yolk colour score was significantly lower for IWN x native
birds than Athulya and native birds. The shell thickness was statistically
similar among the three groups. The egg shell colour was white in Athulya,
tinted to brown in native and tinted in crossbreds. The haemoglobin values
at 40 weeks of age were normal in all the three groups but the volume of
packed red cell differed significantly between the groups. The heterophil to
lymphocyte ratio was significantly (p<0.01) higher for IWN x native
crossbreds. The monounsaturated fatty acid content was more in IWN x
native eggs and the polyunsaturated fatty acid content was more in native
eggs yolk at 36 weeks of age. At 28 weeks of age, the plumage colour
observed was white in Athulya, black in native and white with black spots
in crossbreds. There was no significant difference in overall livability per
cent and the major cause of mortality was predation in Athulya and IWN x
native birds. Eighty per cent households provided night shelter made of
wood and ninety per cent provided nest box facility. The birds were fed with
feed ingredients available in the households. The study revealed that the
performance of native birds in respect to different traits makes them a
suitable bird for backyard poultry rearing compared to Athulya and
crossbreds
Description
Thesis Submitted in the partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Veterinary Science in Poultry Science.