Evaluation of Performance of Rajasri Birds Under Different Management Situations

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the performance of Rajasri bird reared under different systems. The control (T1) group was reared under intensive system and were fed ad lib, while second (T2) and third (T3) groups were maintained under semi-intensive system recieving 20 and 40 percent of ad lib. feeding, respectively. The remaining two treatment groups were reared under scavenging, one group at farm ((T4) and the other at farmer's backyard (T5), respectively. Significantly higher (P<0.05) body weight was noticed in control group as compared to other groups at 40 and 60 weeks of age. The mean hen day production was better with control group and least with 20% and 40% ad lib. groups. Physical verification revealed that crop contents at 20 and 60 weeks respectively comprised of grains (35.88 and 52.02%), green forages (15.06 and 15.39%), kitchen waste (24.26 and 6.33%), animal food (1.44 and 3.84%) and other items (23.36 and 22.41%). Dry matter (DM) content of the crop contents was 36.34 and 36.04% at 20 and 60 weeks of age, respectively. Content of nutrients (on DM basis) such as crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), total ash, crude fibre (CF) and nitrogen free extract (NFE) at 20 and 60 weeks of age were 9.68 and 10.59; 6.53 and 3.57; 31.18 and 23.80; 18.05 and 28.67; and 34.58 and 33.38%, respectively. It can be concluded that significantly higher hen day egg production could be attained in Rajasri birds reared under intensive system offering ad lib. feeding compared to other systems of rearirng.