Comparative Assessment of Production and Hatchability Performance of Vanaraja, Rhode Island Red and Indigenous Poultry Birds under Backyard Rearing System at West Bengal

Abstract

In order to accelerate economic growth of poor households in rural areas of Murshidabad district, West Bengal, low input technology backyard poultry farming was introduced by Krishi Vigyan Kendra for supplementing the earnings of poor farmers and landless labourers. Poultry birds of Vanaraja and Rhode Island Red (RIR) varieties were provided to the farmers. The performance of the birds under gangetic alluvial areas of Murshidabad district was found satisfactory. The body weights of Vanaraja birds were significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of RIR and Indigenous birds at different ages. The egg production of RIR birds was significantly (p<0.05) higher than Vanaraja and Indigenous birds. Vanaraja eggs were significantly (p<0.05) higher in weight than RIR and Indigenous birds. No significant difference in mortality was found during laying period (31-52 weeks) among the three varieties. The hatchability of Indigenous, Vanaraja and RIR birds were found to be 86.98%, 85.22% and 89.53% respectively. The study revealed significant higher production and hatchability performances Vanaraja and RIR birds over the Indigenous poultry birds guiding to a better way of livelihood and nutritional security.