Vol. 11, Special Issue 6 (2022)

Author(s):
Manjari Pandey, Sanjeev Kumar, Chandrahas, Amit Kumar, Chirag Parbatbhai Chaudhari, Hanumant L Kanadkhedkar and Ruhi Meena

Abstract:
Aseel and Kadaknath are two of the most important native chicken breeds of India. Aseel having an aggressive behavior and fighting ability is well known for its meat qualities and Kadaknath is popular for its black meat and eggs having proven medicinal and added nutritional values. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of genetic and non genetic factors on growth and layer economic traits and compare the estimated phenotypic and genetic parameters in the two indigenous breeds. Single generation data was collected from Aseel and Kadaknath birds reared under intensive system in Desi Fowl Unit of ICAR- Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India. The least square means of growth traits revealed a higher body weight gain at 20 (BW20) and 40 (BW40) weeks in Aseel i.e. 1036.02 ± 13.64 g and 1561.32 ± 19.67 g respectively compared to Kadaknath measuring 602.53 ± 19.73 g and 1158.79 ± 23.44 g respectively. Both the breeds took almost same time to reach sexual maturity. Least square means of egg weight at 28 (EW28) and 40 (EW40) weeks, egg production up to 40 weeks (EP40) were 38.22 ± 0.72 g, 43.68 ± 0.49 g, 40.88 ± 2.70, respectively in Aseel and 33.68 ± 0.79 g, 40.06 ± 0.73 g and 35.82 ± 2.13, respectively in Kadaknath. All the concerned traits were found to have medium to high heritability suggesting scope for further improvement in growth and production traits in both the breeds via proper selection and mating program.