Abstract:

Abstract Kamrupa, a dual type high yielding chicken developed under AICRP on poultry breeding, AAU, Khanapara and successfully introduced in various parts of North East. However, information on systemic studies on the productive and reproductive performance of Kamrupa birds under backyard system in Assam is very scanty. Keeping in view, the present study has been undertaken to assess various economic traits of Kamrupa birds under backyard system of rearing in Assam. The data on body weights at day old, 5, 20, 40, 52 and 72 weeks of age, age at first egg, egg production up to 40, 52 and 72 weeks of age, egg weights at 32, 40, 52 and 72 weeks of age, the age at sexual maturity, carcass characteristics, egg quality traits, fertility and hatchability were recorded. The mean body weights at 0, 5, 20, 40, 52 and 72 weeks of age were recorded as 37.60g±2.90, 220.50g±38.20, 1030.50g±110.30, 1710.60g±410.50, 1790.60g±380.30, 2010.20g±290.10 respectively in Kamrupa and 34.20g±2.60, 110.30g±32.70, 720.70g±110.70, 1260.60g±410.60, 1410.20g±320.40, 1630.30g±310.20 respectively in case of indigenous chicken. Confirmation traits like shank length, breast angle and keel length were recorded as 49.90mm±4.30, 51.70 degree ±7.20 and 53.90mm±8.20 in Kamrupa and 50.30mm±3.10, 49.70 degree ±6.40 and 52.10mm±7.30 in Indigenous under backyard system, respectively.The mean egg production up to 40, 52 and 72 weeks of age in Kamrupa were recorded as 43.90±2.60, 85.50±5.60 and 148.60±10.80 numbers respectively and in case of indigenous chicken, the corresponding values were recorded as 24.90±2.50, 44.80±3.50 and 76.30±4.30, respectively. It can be concluded that performance of Kamrupa chicken is better than indigenous bird in terms of body weight, egg production as well as for other traits under backyard system of rearing in compare to indigenous of Assam.

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