Development of novel egg type chicken variety with improved productivity for rural backyards of India

Abstract

Rural poultry farming with improved high producing chicken varieties is transforming the rural livelihoods. The present study was aimed at developing a high egg producing variety suitable for backyard poultry farming. A total of 602 female birds representing five crossbreds, i.e. Kadaknath × IWH (KH), PD-3 × IWH (DH), PD-2 × IWH (VH), PD-1 × IWH (CH) and PD-3 × KH (DKH) were evaluated for their performance up to 72 weeks under farm conditions. The traits evaluated were body weights at 8, 16, 20, 40, 52, 64 and 72 weeks age at sexual maturity (ASM), egg production and egg weight at 40, 52, 64 and 72 weeks and egg quality traits. Analysis of variance was used to assess the effect of genotypes on different traits and heterosis was estimated to check the superiority of the crosses over the parent lines. Genotype had significant influence on all the traits. Morphologically, only DKH crossbred had multi-coloured plumage, while all other crosses had white plumage with brown patches. DKH cross produced about 239.2±2.96 eggs annually and also witnessed the highest heterotic gains for all the body weight traits. Also, heterosis for ASM was very low for DKH cross and hence, in desired direction. Based on present findings, the three-way DKH cross owing to its multi-coloured plumage and good performance can be further studied for its potential as a high-producing layer variety in rural backyards.