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Comparative performance of Vanaraja and Indigenous chicken under backyard system of rearing

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Rafiqul Islam at Assam Agricultural University
Rafiqul Islam
N.Kalita
N.Kalita
N.Kalita
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P. Nath
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Journal of Poultry Science and Technology | January-March, 2014 | Vol 2 | Issue 1 | Pages 22-25
©2014 Jakraya Publications (P) Ltd
JOURNAL OF POULTRY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Journal homepage: www.jakraya.com/journal/jpst
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Comparative performance of Vanaraja and Indigenous chicken under backyard
system of rearing
R. Islam*, N. Kalita and P. Nath
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sivasagar, Rahdoipukhuri, Assam, India.
*Corresponding author:
R. Islam
E-mail: dr.rafiqulvets@gmail.com
Received: 18/02/2014
Revised: 28/03/2014
Accepted: 29/03/2014
Abstract
Performance in terms of body weight, age at first egg, egg
production, egg weight, fertility, hatchability and mortality of Vanaraja and
Indigenous chicken of Assam were studied under backyard system of
rearing and their respective values were compared between two varieties.
The overall mean body weight was significantly (P≤0.05) higher in
Vanaraja than indigenous birds. The mean age at first egg was recorded as
187.45±1.02 days in case of Vanaraja and in indigenous chicken it was
recorded as 201.31±2.03. There is also a significant (P≤0.05) difference of
age at first egg between Vanaraja and indigenous chicken. The mean egg
production up to 32, 40 and 52 weeks of age in Vanaraja were recorded as
33.13±0.11, 52.08±0.32 and 87.29±1.02 numbers respectively and in case
of indigenous chicken, the corresponding values were recorded as
10.21±0.03, 27.82±0.18 and 43.57±0.72
respectively. The mean egg
weights of Vanaraja at 32, 40 and 52 weeks of age are also significantly
(P≤0.05) higher than indigenous birds. There was no significant difference
in mortality rates between two groups during 6 to 30 and 31 to 52 weeks of
age. There was no significant (P≤0.05) difference in fertility and
hatchability percent between two genetic groups.
Keywords
: Vanaraja, Indigenous chicken, backyard system, body weight,
egg production, fertility, hatchability.
Introduction
Peoples of Assam, mostly rural and tribal
masses have been keeping poultry by tradition for their
livelihood and nutritional security since the time of
immemorial. Majority of the farmers are still keeping
10-15 numbers of low input indigenous fowls at their
backyard for both egg and meat production to meet
their day to day petty expenses and nutritional security.
However, the productivity of native indigenous fowls is
very low due to their inherent low genetic potential.
Vanaraja, a dual type high yielding chicken developed
by Project Directorate on Poultry, Hyderabad and
successfully introduced in various parts of our country
is giving promising productive and reproductive
performance under backyard system of management.
However, information on systemic studies on the
productive and reproductive performance of Vanaraja
birds under backyard system in Assam is very scanty.
Keeping in view, the present study has been undertaken
to assess various economic traits of Vanaraja birds
under extensive system of rearing in Assam.
Materials and Methods
The study was conducted in the District of
Sivasagar, which is located between 94.25 and 95.25
Longitude East and 21.45 and 27.15 Latitude North in
the Upper Brahmaputra Valley Zone of Assam. It has
elevation of 86.6 meters above the main sea level. The
Sivasagar District is surrounded by the Jorhat,
Dibrugarh and Lakhimpur Districts of Assam and the
States of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. The district
is characterised by highly humid atmosphere and
abounded rains. The study was carried out during the
period from December/2011 to December/2012.
A total of 1200 numbers of unsexed day old
Vanaraja chicks were procured from a reputed hatchery
of Guwahati and were distributed among 60 numbers
of farmers, each with 20 numbers of chicks. The
farmers were selected randomly who kept a minimum
of 10 numbers of indigenous chickens of different ages
under backyard system. Thus a total of 1096 numbers
of indigenous chickens of different ages were covered
under the present study. The Vanaraja chicks were
brooded for 20-25 days depending upon the
Islam et al....Comparative performance of Vanaraja and Indigenous chicken under backyard system of rearing
Journal of Poultry Science and Technology | January-March, 2014 | Vol 2 | Issue 1 | Pages 22-25
©2014 Jakraya Publications (P) Ltd
23
environmental temperature under hover brooder and
were provided with sufficient clean drinking water and
commercial broiler starter feed ad libitum during the
brooding period. After proper brooding the chicks were
let loose in the backyard and supplemented with the
broiler starter feed along with natural feeding. The
supplemented feed was stopped once the chicks were
accustomed with natural feeding within 4-5 days. The
indigenous birds were reared under traditional system
without artificial brooding and supplemental feeding.
The birds were vaccinated against Ranikhet and
Gumboro diseases by following standard vaccination
method. The data on body weights at 8, 20, 40 and 52
weeks of age, age at first egg, egg weights at 32, 40 and
52 weeks of age, egg production up to 32, 40 and 52
weeks of age were recorded.
Mortality was recorded at 0 to 5, 6 to 30 and 31
to 52 weeks of age. For study of fertility and
hatchability, 500 numbers of eggs were collected
within a period of one week from different stocks and
were set under local broody hen. A total of 50 numbers
of broody hens were procured from different places of
the area under study and 10 numbers of eggs were set
under each hen. The data collected on various traits
were subjected to standard statistical analysis
(Snedecor and Cochran, 1994).
Results and Discussions
The mean body weights at 8, 20, 40 and 52
weeks of age were recorded as 768.23±6.43g,
1693.52±11.13g, 2976.61±18.08g and 3491.87±21.32g
respectively in Vanaraja and 365.12±2.74g,
0.783.14±5.03g, 1274.31±9.01g and 1423.47±16.14g
respectively in case of indigenous chicken (Table 1).
The body weights of Vanaraja were significantly
(P≤0.05) higher than the corresponding body weights
of indigenous chicken, which might be due to
utilization of exotic germplasm for the development of
Vanaraja. Kalita et al (2012) also reported almost
similar body weight of indigenous chicken at 40 weeks
of age under intensive system.
In contrast to the present findings, Niranjan et
al. (2008) and Ramana et al. (2010) recorded higher
body weight of Vanaraja birds at different ages under
intensive system of management. The higher body
weight in intensive system might be due to the
supplementation of balanced diet and other proper
managemental care.
The age at first egg ranged from 180 to 191 days
and the mean age at first egg was recorded as
187.45±1.02 days in case of Vanaraja and in
indigenous chicken it was recorded as 201.31±2.03.
There is also a significant (P≤0.05) difference of age at
first egg between Vanaraja and indigenous chicken,
which might be due to the genetic difference between
two groups of birds. Zuyie et al. (2009) in Nagaland
also reported similar findings in case of Vanaraja under
extensive system of management. However, Kalita et
al. (2012) recorded lower values of age at first egg than
the present value in case of indigenous chicken under
intensive system of management.
Table 1: Productive performance of Vanaraja and
Indigenous chicken
Traits Vanaraja Indigenous
Body weight (g) at
8
th
week 768.23±6.43
a
365.12±2.74
b
20
th
week 1693.52±11.13
a
0.783.14±5.03
40
th
week 2976.61±18.08
a
1274.31±9.01
b
52
nd
week 3491.87±21.32
a
1423.47±16.14
Age at first egg
(days)
187.45±1.02
a
201.31±2.03
b
Egg production (nos.) up to
32
nd
week 33.13±0.11
a
10.21±0.03
b
40
th
week 52.08±0.32
a
27.82±0.18
b
52
nd
week 87.29±1.02
a
43.57±0.72
b
Egg weight (g) at
32
nd
week 48.32±0.21
a
27.85±0.04
b
40
th
week 53.07±0.24
a
32.06±0.07
b
52
nd
week 58.17±0.26
a
36.08±0.13
b
Mortality (%)
0 to 5
th
week 11.23±1.62
a
7.04±0.86
b
6 to 30
th
week 1.04±0.03
a
3.61±0.43
b
31 to 52
nd
week 1.03±0.02
a
1.06±0.53
a
Fertility (%) 91.28±8.43
a
90.40±4.97
a
Hatchability (%)
on TES
89.78±6.32
a
87.52±3.95
a
Means bearing different superscripts in a row differ
significantly (P<0.05)
The mean egg production up to 32, 40 and 52
weeks of age in Vanaraja were recorded as 33.13±0.11,
52.08±0.32 and 87.29±1.02 numbers respectively and
in case of indigenous chicken, the corresponding values
were recorded as 10.21±0.03, 27.82±0.18 and
43.57±0.72
respectively (Table 1). The mean egg
production was also significantly (P≤0.05) differ
between two genetic groups, which might be due to
different genetic makeup of two groups. Chutia (2010)
also found an overall mean for annual egg production
of indigenous chicken of Assam which ranged from
53.8±0.23 to 58.4±0.26. However, Kumaresan et al
(2008), who reported that annual egg production of
Vanaraja birds under the backyard system of rearing
was 176± 9. However, Suresh et al. (2005) reported
the average egg production of 147 eggs /hen/annum
under traditional system in Manipur.
Islam et al....Comparative performance of Vanaraja and Indigenous chicken under backyard system of rearing
Journal of Poultry Science and Technology | January-March, 2014 | Vol 2 | Issue 1 | Pages 22-25
©2014 Jakraya Publications (P) Ltd
24
The mean egg weights of two genetic groups at
32, 40 and 52 weeks of age are presented in the Table
1. There is significant (P≤0.05) difference between the
values at different ages. The lower values might be due
to poor genetic potential in indigenous chicken of
Assam. Kalita et al. (2011) also recorded the average
weight of egg as 35.27±0.15g in case of indigenous
chicken of Assam. Further, the present findings of
Vanaraja are comparable with the findings of Suresh et
al. (2005), who reported that the average egg weight of
58 g under traditional rearing system in Manipur.
The mortality rate during 0 to 5, 6 to 30 and 31
to 52 weeks of age in Vanaraja and in indigenous
chickens of Assam under backyard system of rearing is
presented in the Table 1. It was found that there was
significant (P≤0.05) difference in mortality rate
between Vanaraja and indigenous chicken during 0 to 5
weeks of age which might be due to improper artificial
brooding in Vanaraja chicks. Later on the mortality rate
decreased with the advancement of age in both the
cases and there was no significant difference in
mortality rates between two groups during 6 to 30 and
31 to 52 weeks of age. The higher early chick mortality
up to 5
th
week of age might be due to cold shock,
because of faulty brooding management. Kalita et al.
(2012b) also reported 6 to 10 % of chick mortality in
indigenous chicken of Assam. Kumaresan et al. (2008)
also recorded 8.4% of mortality up to 5
th
week of age in
case of Vanaraja birds. In contrast to the present
findings, Ghosh et al. (2005) also reported higher
mortality percentage of 22.63% in Vanaraja up to 6
weeks of age in high altitude of Arunachal Pradesh.
They also recorded highest mortality during the
brooding period.
The fertility of Vanaraja and indigenous chicken
of Assam under backyard system of rearing were found
to be 91.28±8.43% and 90.40±4.97% respectively.
There was no significant (P≤0.05) difference in fertility
percent between two genetic groups. The higher and
almost similar percent of fertility in both the cases
might be due to proper maintenance of male-female
ratio and abundance of natural feeds in bird’s
surroundings. Iyer (1951) also recorded the fertility
percent of 81.5 to 95.2 in desi birds. Further, Kalita et
al. (2012a) reported fertility percent as 76.33±5.23 in
indigenous chicken of Assam. However, Kumar et al.
(2005) reported lower fertility as 71.13 % in Vanaraja
birds under traditional system of rearing in Manipur.
The chicks were hatched out by indigenous
broody hen in both the cases. The hatchability percent
was recorded as 89.78±6.32% in Vanaraja, whereas in
case of indigenous it was found as 87.52±3.95
on total
egg set basis. Therefore, there was no significant
(P≤0.05) difference in hatchability percent between two
groups. The higher hatchability in the present study
might be due to the setting of eggs during winter
season and the appropriate number of eggs set per
broody hen in both the cases. Kalita et al. (2012a) also
reported higher rate of hatchability (81-100%) in
indigenous chicken of Assam. In contrast to the present
findings, Kumar et al. (2005) reported lower
hatchability as 72.6 % in Vanaraja birds under
traditional system of rearing in Manipur.
Conclusion
It can be concluded that performance of
Vanaraja chicken is better than indigenous bird in
terms of body weight, egg production as well as for
other traits under backyard system of rearing in Assam.
So, farmers from rural and tribal areas of Assam can
rear Vanaraja birds for their livelihood and nutritional
security.
Acknowledgement
The necessary support extended by the Director of
Extension Education, AAU, Jorhat-13 is duly
acknowledged. The authors also thankful to all Subject
Matter Specialists from different disciplines of Krishi
Vigyan Kendra, Sivasagar, Rahdoipukhuri for their
technical and physical cooperation and sincere advice
during the study.
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  • Jul 2006
  • Indian Vet J
Vanaraja, a dual-purpose bird, developed by Project Directorate on Poultry (PDP), Hyderabad, has potential for providing economic benefit as well as generating employment to the rural people in our country. In hilly states, like Arunachal Pradesh, particularly in high altitude areas, on and above 5000 ft. above MSL, where intensive agricultural activities are nearly impossible due to meagre cultivable land and poor fertility of soil (Buragohain et al., 2004), livestock rearing plays a significant part for the livelihood of the rural agrarian tribal communities. Among the various livestock species, poultry rearing is very much popular in the state. However, lack of awareness regarding improved breeds, scientific feeding and managemental practices, the productivity is very poor. In the present study, an attempt has been made to study the productive performance of Vanaraja birds, in terms of hatchability of eggs, growth, feed intake and feed conversion ratio in high altitude areas (5000 to 8000 ft. above MSL) of Arunachal Pradesh to justify their adaptability and economic viability for the rural tribal communities.
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Analysis of a village chicken production system and performance of improved dual purpose chickens under a subtropical hill agro-ecosystem in India
Article
  • Sep 2008
This study was designed to analyze the low input backyard poultry production system practiced by the tribal farmers, and evaluate the performance of an improved dual-purpose breed, the Vanaraja. Results revealed that a significantly (p < 0.05) higher number of farmers used temporary, non-conventional poultry houses made of locally available materials, such as bamboo and wood. Most of the farmers (65.9 %) did not provide balanced feed to their poultry and did not vaccinate their birds against any disease. Under standard management conditions, the average body weight of Vanaraja birds at 6 weeks was 625 +/- 10.9 g. Under backyard conditions, the body weight at 18 months was 3.6 +/- 0.8 kg. The age at first egg was 154 +/- 9 days in the backyard system, whereas under the intensive system it was 196 +/- 4 days. Annual production under the backyard and intensive systems of rearing was 176 +/- 9 and 152 +/- 7 eggs, respectively. Mortality of adult birds was 12 % and predation by foxes and wild cats accounted for 1.67 %. This study revealed that village chickens are an important income source for household expenses, and that traditional free-range poultry production in the smallholder sector of developing countries can possibly be improved through the use of improved dual-purpose birds.
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Improved indigenous hen evolved by selective breeding
  • Jan 1951
  • Indian Vet J
  • 90-91
  • S G Iyer
Iyer SG (1951). Improved indigenous hen evolved by selective breeding. Indian Veterinary Journal, 49: 90-91.
Study on some productive and reproductive traits of indigenous chicken of Dhemaji district of Assam
  • Jan 2010
  • H Chutia
Chutia H (2010). Study on some productive and reproductive traits of indigenous chicken of Dhemaji district of Assam. M.V.Sc. Thesis, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam, India.
Production performance of Vanaraja birds under traditional system of rearing in Manipur
  • Jan 2005
  • 2-4
  • S Kumar
  • S V Ngachan
  • G S Sunder
  • Devi Nk
Kumar S, Ngachan SV, Sunder GS and Devi NK (2005). Production performance of Vanaraja birds under traditional system of rearing in Manipur. In: Proc. of 23 rd Annual Conf. and National Symp. IPSACON, held on Feb, 2-4;