A study on performance of a crossbred chicken developed using both exotic and indigenous breeds under backyard system of rearing

Abstract

Backyard poultry farming is popular in rural and tribal areas in India. Recently in addition to indigenous birds, exotic crossbreds having multicolour plumage are also being reared under backyard poultry farming. Development of different crosses for backyard poultry is being carried out at different organization. In the present study PD1 x PD4 cross which have both exotic and indigenous inheritance was evaluated in farmer’s field under backyard system of rearing. At 6 wks of age 20 unsexed chicks each were given to 5 farmers at Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh for their evaluation in the field. One farmer completed rearing upto 72 wks of age. Average 20 wks body weights of male and female were 1671 and 1371 g, respectively. Corresponding body weights at 40 wks of age were 2784 and 178 g. Total egg production of per bird upto 72 wks of age were 148 eggs. Egg weight at 40 wks of age was 50.70 g. The farmer earned a net profit of Rs. 8195/- from the backyard poultry using 20 number of PD1 x PD4 chicks from 6 to 72 wks of age. Due to good performance of this bird, the farmer able to hatch 58 chicks using broody hen and able to sale the chicks to get higher return than eggs.