In India, poultry production has developed as one of the fast-budding sectors among various livestock sectors from its transformation from traditional backyard system to organized commercial farming over the last few decades. This sector includes low, medium and high input/ output systems of rearing and is providing employment to over 7 million people, apart from household income and nutritional security to numerous small poultry keepers in rural and tribal areas of the country. It contributes about 0.5% to the national GDP (Gross domestic product) and about 10% to the livestock GDP in our country. Technological support is, therefore, crucial for the sustainable growth of the poultry sector. In poultry, desi chickens play very crucial role in rural economy people and also it improves the socio-economic status of the poor and landless farmers.
The domestic fowls
Different age group of White, Brown, Black and Mixed Plumage of native birds and their body weight
The study was performed at livestock farm complex of veterinary college, Hassan. Hassan district of Karnataka state is lying between 12o 13’ and 13o 33’ north latitudes and 75o 33’ and 76o 38’ east longitude, Hassan district has a total area of 6826.15 km2. The geography is mixed with mountain region to the west and south west called Bisle Ghat and plains regions in north, south and east.
The present study was does not involved any intervention of sample collection or the tissues from the birds.
The study comprises of eight hundred (800) desi dayold chicks were procured from the veterinary college, Hebbal, Bengaluru. All these birds were wing banded and weighted at day old of hatching. Nearly, two hundred (200) desi day-old birds were grouped into 4 groups based upon their day-old plumage colour as white, brown, black and mixed. The body weight was recorded (in gm) on day old birds followed by 2nd, 4th and 6th week of age using kitchen weighing balance.
The statistical data package for social science (SPSS, Version 17) was used to analyse the data at 5% level of significance.
The average body weight of white plumage birds (around 200) of 31.10 ± 1.10, 106.44 ± 11.97, 204.60 ± 27.60 and 361.80 ± 56.00, at day old, 2nd week, 4th week and 6th week, respectively. The average body weight of Brown at day old, 2nd, 4th and 6th week of age was 30.2 ± 1.32, 111.68 ± 11.53, 212.40 ± 27.07, and 382.50 ± 54.00, respectively. Similarly, the average body weight of Black and mixed plumage at day old, 2nd, 4th, and 6th week age were 31.08 ± 0.89, 118.36 ± 9.80, 225.90 ± 21.00 and 407.12 ± 35.76 for black and 281.70±1.40, 108.68 ± 11.53, 202.12 ± 18.40, and 366.48 ± 54.36 for mixed type, respectively. The highest body weight was observed in black plumage colour followed by brown plumage and there was no significant difference between white and mixed coloured plumage birds.