Desi Birds Research Articles

CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF NATIVE CHICKEN VARIETIES OF INDIA – REVIEW

The total meat production in India is 9.29 million out of which 4.78 million tonnes is from poultry and the growth of poultry meat sector has increased by 6.86 % over previous year. The growth rate of backyard poultry population from 2012 to 2019 (45.79 %) is ten times higher than when compared to commercial poultry (4.50 %) (BAHS, 2022). The native chickens are slowly growing in nature and are preferred for better flavor and for the belief that natural, less intensive management systems provide desi birds with higher welfare levels, resulting in much better product quality and great demand. The meat from native chicken is more delicious and provides nutritional security and economic support for the rural and most suited for backyard system of rearing. The aim is to study the carcass traits of available native chicken in India and compare it with native chicken at Hosur. The carcass characteristic of the native chicken variety at Hosur was evaluated by sacrificing 25 birds of each sex at 16 weeks of age. The observed results were compared with the performances of other varieties of native chicken in India with respect to the parameters like New York dressing yield, eviscerated yield, Ready to cook yield, cut-up parts yield, Meat bone ratio and Giblets yield at each sex of the bird at different age of slaughter especially at 16 weeks of age. It helps to identify the variety of native chicken which had good carcass traits and could be utilized for table delicacy.

Comparative Performances of Improved Poultry Varieties under Backyard Rearing System in Dhemaji District of Assam

Productive and reproductive performances in terms of body weight, age at first egg, egg production, egg weight, fertility, hatchability and mortality of Vanaraja, Rainbow Rooster, Kamruapa and Desi chicken of Assam were studied under traditional backyard system of rearing. The Vanaraja, Rainbow Rooster and Kamruapa birds were given to rear under the frontline demonstration programmes of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dhemaji to the women farmers of the district during 2020-21. The data on bird weights at different ages, egg weights, fertility, hatchability as well as mortality were collected and recorded and compared among the varieties. The data recorded from the study were analyzed as per standard statistical methods. The overall mean body weights were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in all the improved varieties than Desi chicken at different ages. There is also significant (P < 0.05) difference of age at first egg among Vanaraja (182.05±5.52 days), Rainbow Rooster (175.08±6.13 days), Kamruapa (163.06±5.52 days) and Desi chicken (203.31±3.31 days). The mean egg production values up to 32, 40, 52 and 72 weeks of age in the demonstrated varieties were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the corresponding values of Desi birds. The mean egg weights of Vanaraja, Rainbow Rooster, Kamruapa at 32, 40 and 52 weeks of age were also significantly (P < 0.05) higher than Desi birds. However, no significant difference was observed in mortality rates among the four groups at different ages. There was also no significant (P < 0.05) difference in fertility and hatchability percent among the four genetic groups. It is concluded that Vanaraja, Rainbow Rooster and Kamruapa birds are adapted well under traditional backyard rearing system in agro-climatic conditions of Dhemaji district of Assam with adequate economic advantages over the Indigenous birds.

Exploration of immunomodulatory and production performance activity of Allium sativum and Withania somnifera against New castle disease in desi birds

Exploration of immunomodulatory and production performance activity of Allium sativum and Withania somnifera against New castle disease in desi birds

Distribution of TET, AAC and CTX-M Genes among Antibiotic Resistant Escherichia coli Isolated From Poultry under Various Farming System of A and N Islands

Background: Transmission of antibiotic resistance from animal food chain to human through animal food-borne pathogens have led to increased public concern. Wider surveillance on prevalence of antibiotic resistance in E. coli will provide information on evolution of resistance in various geographical locations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of antimicrobial resistance of E. coli isolates from poultry under various farming system in A and N Islands and resistance genes of tet, ctx-M and aac encoding the isolates. Methods: Isolates were obtained from cloacal swabs in poultry under various farming systems and tested against major antimicrobial derivatives to study multi drug resistance. The presence of genes associated with resistance to tetracycline (tet A), ESBL (CTX-M) and Gentamycin (aac(3)-IV) were determined by PCR. Result: A total of 126 cloacal samples were analysed out of which 31.38% of the E.coli isolates from poultry under various farming systems were producing extended spectrum beta-lactamases and were multiple antimicrobial resistant. Poultry birds of commercial farms showed higher resistance levels (37.5%) than organised farms (24.76%) and desi birds (31.88%). Results indicate a high level of multi-drug resistance is emerging even in desi birds. It is suggested that an antimicrobial resistance surveillance program is needed in A and N Islands in order to detect bacterial resistance among rural poultry production as the 80 percentage of total poultry population belong to desi birds.

Serum cytokine concentration in native Nicobari fowl of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Serological cytokine profile was studied in native Nicobari fowl of A&N Islands and its comparative evaluation was carried out in other local poultry population. Blood was collected from 150 poultry comprising 30 samples each of Nicobari fowl, commercial layer and broilers, desi bird and Vanaraja poultry. The concentration of cytokines viz. chicken interferon alpha and beta (IFN-α and IFN-β) (ng/L), chicken interleukin- 6 (IL-6) (ng/L), chicken interleukin-12 (IL-12) (pg/ml), chicken toll like receptor (TLR 4) (ng/ml) and chicken major histo-compatibility complex MHC (ng/ml) were determined by immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA). Results revealed that the concentrations IFN-α and IFN-β in serum is significantly higher in commercial layers that was statistically at par with Nicobari fowl. The cytokine, IL- 6 was significantly lowest in native Nicobari fowl and desi birds and highest in broilers and vanaraja birds. Significantly higher serum concentration of IL-12 was recorded in Nicobari fowl and it was statistically comparable with desi birds and broilers. Level of TLR4 in serum was significantly highest in broilers followed by commercial layers and Nicobari fowl. Commercial broilers, layers and vanaraja birds have significantly higher level of MHC followed by Nicobari fowl. Hence it can be concluded that the higher concentrations of serum IFN-α and β, IL-12, TLR4 and MHC in native Nicobari fowl indicates their innate immunological balance that maintain immune homeostasis and enhances immune function and resistance to disease by stimulating T and B lymphocyte formation modulating cytokine secretion profiles.

Comparative study of growth and production performance of Kroiler, Vanraja and desi birds under extensive system of rearing in cold, arid area of Kargil, Ladakh

KVK-Kargil under its FLD programme, distributed Kroiler and Vanraja birds to selected tribal families belonging to two blocks of Kargil District and that were considered for the present investigation to carry out a comparative growth and production performance of the improved supplied variety with the existing deshi birds. The results revealed that body weights gain varies significantly among Kroiler, Vanraja and Desi chicken across the different age and were found to be 1.91±0.02, 1.78±0.02 and 0.62±0.014 at six months; 3.93±0.05, 3.64±0.07 and 1.48±0.01 at one year and 4.33±0.05, 4.07±0.06 and 1.87±0.01 at two years of age respectively. Similar trend were also observed in respect of all production parameters, be it age at first laying, numbers of egg production or egg weight. Numbers of egg produced during first cycle reveals the figure as 182.95±1.31,172.44±1.59 and 112.85±1.73 for Kroiler, Vanraja and Desi birds respectively and which differ significantly among each other. The study concludes that the Kroiler and Vanraja have better adaptability under free range system of production in cold arid condition of Kargil and can be a better alternative for existing Desi birds to augment the production and met the nutritional demand.

Backyard poultry farming for meat and egg production: rural enterprise

Twenty farmers selected from each village for 6 villages of the district and skill based training on various aspects of backyard poultry farming. Participants enriched with sound knowledge were distributed with 25 Vanaraja & Grampriya chicks per person. The records of mean body weight of Grampriya and Vanaraja at different week interval. The body weight of crosses differ significantly (p < 0.05) after 4th week of age from their parents. The body weights of crosses were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than Hazra (Desi) birds and nearly similar to Vanaraja birds at different period of age attaining the sexual maturity in different groups of poultry birds. Vanaraja matures at the age of 141.62 days, Hazra (Desi) bird at 186.47 days and Grampriya at 158.32 days. The pullet egg weight of Vanaraja, Hazra (Desi) and Grampriya were 38.75, 30.82 and 34.94 g, egg weight at 40 weeks of age were 55.87, 42.89 and 51.26 g and increase in egg weight were 17.12, 12.07 and 15.42 g respectively. The hatchability percentages were 87.56%, 89.36% and 85.72% on fertile egg set and 68.23%, 68.92% and 64.74% on total egg set basis respectively in Vanaraja, Grampriya and local desi birds.

Occurrence of Complicated Infectious Coryza in Desi Birds

Occurrence of Complicated Infectious Coryza in Desi Birds

Sustaining the tribal livelihood through scientific backyard desi chicken rearing in Kolli hills, Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu

A total of 71 tribal households belonging to Kolli hills were selected as beneficiaries for Indian Council of Agricultural Research on Tribal Sub Plan scheme project to receive the inputs. The selected beneficiaries were given two trainings viz., scientific rearing and disease management of backyard birds in addition to feed preparation and value addition of poultry products. The impact was assessed after 6 months of implementation through survey from the beneficiaries who received the inputs and trainings. Around 50 per cent of the beneficiaries were having flock size of 4 birds to above 10 birds. Majority (83.33 per cent) of the beneficiaries felt that cage provided was useful for rearing the backyard poultry and required some modifications. About 48 per cent respondents expressed their battle against regular mortality and the major reason for mortality was Newcastle disease, followed by other reasons like keeping improved desi birds in a confined farm premises, predators, etc. The most important household utility was for meat (47 per cent) followed by both meat and egg (26 per cent) and only egg (3 per cent). It was concluded that, 31 per cent of tribes generated an additional income of Rs.1000 to 5000 per year by rearing of the desi birds. Egg consumption pattern did not change before or after the implementation of this scheme and mostly eggs were used to hatch the chicks.

Detection of Mycoplasma gallinaceum by PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA gene from respiratory disease in village chickens

In the present study, Mycoplasma gallinaceum was detected by PCR amplification of 16S rRNA gene from chronic respiratory disease in village chickens of Cauvery delta region of Tamil Nadu. Necropsy was performed to find out the etiological agent in desi birds mortality. At necropsy, airsacculitis with caseous exudate were found in the thoracic and abdominal cavity. Caseous material from airsacs was collected aseptically from dead birds for detection of Mycoplasma species. DNA was extracted from caseous material by using tissue DNA extraction kit. PCR was carried out using primers to amplify 16S rRNA gene belonging to Mycoplasma species. The amplified product yielded approximately 700-bp length (703 to 713 bp) of the 16S rRNA gene specific for Mycoplasma species. Further, it was subjected to sequence analysis and confirmed as Mycoplasma gallinaceum by NCBI blast analysis. In the present communication, detection of M. gallinaceum by PCR amplification of 16S rRNA gene provides a powerful tool for rapid diagnosis.

Incidence of Fowl Chlorea in Desi Fowl Farms of Tirupur District

Desi birds are often susceptible to fowl cholera, a serious, highly contagious disease caused by the bacterium Pasteurella multocida. This study involves the diagnosis of fowl cholera by gross necropsy examination, isolation and identification of organism by culture method. Six different flocks of adult desi chicken were subjected to necropsy examination and a total of 30 carcasses were examined for diagnosis of the disease. Fowl cholera was confirmed in all six outbreaks by gross and microscopic examination and bacterial isolation by culture method. The women self help groups were advised to follow strict biosecurity and ethnoveterinary practices for prevention and control of diseases.

Back yard poultry to combat protein defiency and increase income of rural families in Khammam district Telangana state

The present study was taken to assess the performance of rajasri bird in comparison with desi variety for combating protein deficiency and increase socio economic status of rural families. The study reveal that rajasri birds are more efficient than desi birds for increased protein intake and increased income.

Status of Indigenous Chicken Rearing in Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh

Backyard poultry plays an important role in the livelihood of rural families in developing countries as a source of ready cash income alongwith satisfying social needs. This paper is based on a study conducted in eight villages from Nuzvid division of Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh to assess the status of backyard poultry rearing. The survey indicated the existence of desi birds in the study area with an average flock size of 4-9 birds per household with little or negligible supplementary feeding. High mortality, poor productivity was reported by majority of the respondents which might be due to lack of awareness about improved backyard varieties and poultry related government schemes. Appropriate institutional support in terms of provision of improved backyard varieties, disease control strategies, training and awareness programmes can promote this remunerative enterprise in the region keeping in view of raising demand for backyard egg and chicken.

A case report of candidiasis in desi (Aseel) birds

Carcasses of two desi (Aseel) birds of about 2 yrs. age were brought to the Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Science, Proddatur for postmortem examination. On necropsy, whitish, circular raised nodules in oral cavity, esophagus and crop were major gross lesions. Cytological and morphometric examination revealed numerous oval shaped cells ranging from 1–4μ diameter. Histopathological examination showed colonization of organisms in the keratinized stratified squamous epithelium of crop and stratum corneum with extensions into the stratum spinosum in the esophagus. The mucosa of both crop and esophagus was covered by a crust composed of admixture of necrotic debris, sloughed epithelial cells and leukocytes. Yeast and pseudohyphal forms were observed in the central necrosed area and around the debris. Based on pathological, cytological and morphological examination, present condition was diagnosed and confirmed as candidiasis.

Comparative study of Giriraja and Desi birds under backyard system of rearing in farmers field

Giriraja is a dual purpose bird suitable for backyard rearing and intensive system of management. Because of its sturdy and resistant nature, it can easily acclimatize itself to any region and weather. A field level study was undertaken to evaluate efficiency of production performance of Giriraja and Desi birds in 32 households each 20 birds under backyard system of rearing in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu state with respect to age at sexual maturity, average weight at first egg, average live weight at 28 th week and hen day egg production at 52 weeks of age. The average live weight gain of Giriraja birds after 6 months was 2.127 kg which was higher than that of Desi birds (1.100kg). Age at sexual maturity was ranged between 155.00 157.02 days in Giriraja birds whereas the age at sexual maturity in Desi birds was 181.17-182.25. The mean weight at first egg was 45g in Giriraja whereas 38g in Desi birds. The egg production up to 52 wks of age was ranged from 202.56-206.12 in Giriraja and 91.78-93.61 in Desi birds. Moreover, the average weight of chicks of Giriraja and Desi birds at day old age observed was 50.2g and 41.8g, respectively.

Classification and Utilization Pattern of Fruits and Vegetables Available in Papum Pare District of Arunachal Pradesh

This study was carried out in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. A multi-stage random sampling procedure was used to select 120 respondents from 10 villages of two blocks. A structured interview schedule duly pre-tested and validated was used to elicit information from the respondents during February to April, 2014. Data were analyzed using frequency and percentage. It was found that majority of the poultry growers have primary to secondary level education and small size family. Agriculture was noticed as primary (51.7%) and poultry as secondary occupation (35.4%) with average flock size of 13.3±4.2 desi birds, reared with locally available materials at the household level. The egg productivity of desi birds was 36.5±0.2 eggs and selling price @ Rs 7.0±0.07/egg in local market whereas body weight gain was 1.4±0.02 kg/bird/yr and selling price @ Rs 310.2±2.1/kg live bird. It was also observed that involvement of women was more in housing, feeding, breeding, health care, marketing and consumption than joint and collective participation of family members which contributed to a large extent in increasing the household income of a small family. Later on, this income generated from backyard poultry rearing was invested for household, poultry production and recreation purposes depending upon the felt needs. From this study, it can be concluded that the backyard poultry rearing with full participation of rural women helped in empowering women's of tribal communities in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh.

Productive Performance of Rajasri Bird at Farmer's Backyard: A Study in Southern State of India

Backyards poultry farming is an age old practice among rural people especially women with desi birds in India. Under Rastriya Krishi Vikasa Yojana of Government of India,an improved variety for backyard i.e. Rajasri birds were distributed among the rural poor in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh to uplift the socio-economic status through backyard poultry which is an age old tradition in among rural Indian masses.. In this context, a study was carried out to assess the performance of birds at farmer’s backyard and its impact on the livelihoods of farmers. The results revealed a significant (p

A comparison between the effects of a probiotic and an antibiotic on the performance of Desi chickens

A study was conducted to compare probiotic with antibiotic, using drinking water supplemented with Biovet and TNF-60. The 8-days old Desi chicks were randomly divided into 9 separate floor pens each comprising 75 birds and three pens (replicates) per treatment group following completely randomized design. At the end of 6 weeks trial, body weight (BW) and feed to gain ratio (FCR) were determined. At the end of experiment, serum cholesterol was determined. The BW of birds given antibiotic and probiotic was significantly greater than control. Similarly, better FCR was observed in birds those given drinking water with antibiotic and probiotic. There was less mortality recorded with probiotic treatment. Cholesterol contents were reduced significantly in probiotic supplemented group as compared to antibiotic and control groups. It may be concluded that performance in Desi birds could be maintained when supplementing probiotic incorporated in broiler's drinking water. The supplementation of probiotic may lead to the development of low-cholesterol chicken meat as demanded by health-conscious consumers. Probiotic may be replaced with the antibiotic to avoid its residual effects on birds as well as human health.

Effect of Plant Proteolytic Enzyme on the Physico-chemical Properties and Lipid Profile of Meat from Culled, Desi and Broiler Chicken

Proteolytic enzymes are used for meat tenderization, an important process with regard to consumer preference. The proteolytic enzyme, IVRIN was isolated from the plant Cucumis pubescens W and its effect on physico-chemical properties and lipid profile of thigh and breast muscle of culled, desi and broiler birds was studied. Fifty-gram meat was treated with IVRIN containing 32.5 mg enzyme protein at 60°C for 20 min. The pH of IVRIN treated meat was decreased significantly (p<0.01) and the effect was more pronounced in breast than thigh muscle. The water holding capacity (WHC) was increased significantly (p<0.01) in broiler as compared to desi and culled bird, and in breast compared to thigh muscle. IVRIN failed to produce any impact on muscle fiber diameter (MFD). The MFD of desi was significantly higher (p<0.01) than broiler and culled birds. The total lipid concentration in thigh and breast muscle of desi was lower (p<0.01) than broiler and culled birds, latter being similar in this respect. The cholesterol content was lower (p<0.01) in breast than thigh muscle, in broiler than desi and culled and in IVRIN treated than untreated meat samples. The phospholipid concentration was unaffected by IVRIN. Broiler and culled birds exhibited more phospholipid content than desi birds. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2003. Vol 16, No. 6 : 884-888)