​Performance and Nutrient Status of Crop Contents of Indigenous, Vanaraja and Crossbred Chickens under Scavenging System

Abstract

Background: Indigenous birds are low producer of egg and meat due to poor genetic potential. So, improved dual type backyard chicken rearing can increase egg and meat production in the rural areas. Scavenge feed resource is also an important factor on the performance of rural chicken. The nutrient status of these birds under scavenging system shall help to take future steps in this area. Methods: A study was conducted on 600 numbers (200 each of Indigenous, Vanaraja and Crossbred) chicken. The day old chicks were distributed in a contiguous area for convenience of the study. Accordingly 30 farmers (10 numbers of farmers for each group) were selected randomly and 20 numbers of chicks were provided to each of them for rearing. The chicks were brooded for initial three weeks by the beneficiaries by their traditional methods and different parameters were recorded. Result: The final body weights and part period egg production up to 52 weeks of age were found to differ significantly (P≤0.05) among the types of chicken. The egg size was significantly (P≤0.05) different. Significantly (P≤0.05) higher percentage of Crude protein (CP) and Crude fibre (CF) and lower Nitrogen free extract (NFE) of the crop contents were recorded in Vanaraja than Indigenous and Crossbred chickens. The mean CP contents of crop were significantly (P≤0.05) highest in Vanaraja (10.24±0.37%) and lowest (9.16±0.29%) in Crossbred chicken. The mean CF contents of crop were differed significantly (P≤0.05) among the type of birds. The mean NFE content was significantly (P≤0.05) different among the types of chicken. The study showed that the nutrient concentrations of scavengeable feed resources consumed by rural poultry were below the recommended levels for optimum growth and egg production.