Characteristics of Local Chicken Birds from Southern Rajasthan Region

Siddhartha Mishra; S. P. Tailor; Lokesh Gupta; H. L. Bugaliya; B. L. Dangi

Authors

Siddhartha Mishra Department of Animal Production, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture & Technology, Udaipur – 313 001, Rajasthan, INDIA
S. P. Tailor Department of Animal Production, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture & Technology, Udaipur – 313 001, Rajasthan, INDIA
Lokesh Gupta Department of Animal Production, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture & Technology, Udaipur – 313 001, Rajasthan, INDIA
H. L. Bugaliya Department of Animal Production, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture & Technology, Udaipur – 313 001, Rajasthan, INDIA
B. L. Dangi Department of Animal Production, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture & Technology, Udaipur – 313 001, Rajasthan, INDIA

Keywords:

Backyard Chicken, Body Weight, Egg and Physical Characters

Abstract

A survey was conducted on 300 poultry rearers of 60 villages in 12 tehsils of 6 districts in Southern Rajasthan. The flock size was larger in Chittorgarh and Dungarpur district, the most common flock size was less than 10 birds followed by 10 to 20 birds. Farmers maintained non-descript native birds with mixed plumage colour, yellow coloured skin and shank, red ear lobe, black eye with single comb and reared in backyard/free range system. The average age at first egg lay was 6.78±0.05 months and annual egg production was 43.16±0.39 eggs. The average egg weight was 40.50±0.34 while length and width was 4.75±0.02 and 3.47±0.01 cm respectively. The average adult weights of male and female were 1.9 ± 0.02 and 1.25±0.04 kg respectively. The major constraints as reported by the respondents were attack of predators, high incidence of disease, sale of poultry product and lack of improved germplasm.