Production performance and egg quality traits of kadaknath and an improved breed Chabro under intensive housing system

Abstract

The present study was conducted to characterise the broiler and layer proficiency of these breeds under intensive housing system in Punjab. The study was conducted during 2019 and 2020 on one day old poultry chicks of Kadaknath and Chabro breeds under intensive housing system at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ropar (Punjab). Evaluation parameters included average weight gain, mortality rate, feed conversion ratio, age at first laying, age at sexual maturity, egg production upto 40 week age, egg weight and external & internal quality of eggs. Chabro birds attained significantly higher body weight (1150.66±30.7g) and showed better FCR (2.67) than Kadaknath (916.58±3.06 g and 2.87, respectively) at 12 week age. Chabrolayers started laying at lower age (141.80±6.31days), attained an early sexual maturity at 167 days, produced higher number of eggs (34.00±20.15 upto 40 week age) and higher egg weight at 40 week age (63.52±3.29g). On the contrary, the onset of laying, sexual maturity, egg production and egg weight at 40 weeks age in Kadaknath was recorded 165.51 ±7.45 days, 184 days, 25.72±11.63 and 62.31±3.20g, respectively. The external and internal egg quality parameters including egg length, width, shape index, Haugh unit and yolk percentage were better recorded in Chabro than in Kadaknath. While Kadaknath breed recorded lower mortality, higher shell weight, shell percentage, yolk height and yolk index. It may be concluded that Chabro could perform better than Kadaknath for certain economic traits under same management conditions. Kadaknath recorded optimum performance with respect to production, reproductive performance and adaptability under intensive housing system.