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Effect of Dwarfism on Reproductive and Meat Yield Parameters of Crossbred Chicken

M.A. Rashid
Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

M.A.R. Howlider
Department of Poultry Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh.

J. Alam
Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Md. Abdur Rashid
Barisal Government Veterinary College, Bangladesh.

M.H. Kawsar
Rural Poverty Elevation Foundation, Bangladesh.

S.A. Azma
Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Twenty four indigenous autosomal dwarf hens were selected and divided equally into 3 groups. Rhode Island Red, White Leghorn and Fayoumi Cocks, 2 for each were placed to each group respectively for breeding. Sixty eggs were selected from each group and hatched in a forced draft incubator. Among those, 36 healthy day-old chicks from each group were selected and reared up to 20 weeks of age. The chicks were identified as normal and dwarf genetic groups at 8 weeks of age. The aim of this study was to observe the reproductive parameters of crosses and parameters related to the meat yield of normal and dwarf genetic group of crossbred chicken under farm condition. Fertility, hatchability on total eggs and hatchability on fertile eggs of cross B (95.57; 68.71; 72.41) were higher (p<0.01) than cross A (93.44;63.44;67.62) and cross C (90.92;60.89;67.19). Dead-in-germ and dead-in-shell were statistically higher (p<0.01) in cross C than cross A&B. Reduced adult body size, improved feed conversion and higher livability were found in all genetic groups of dwarf crossbred. Among those, White Leghorn was found as the best one also considering its different dressing yields. Advantages of adw gene in terms of a good scavenger could better be exploited by introgressing in exotic smaller breeds like White Leghorn from indigenous dwarf chicken.

Keywords: Dwarfism, Reproductive, Meat yield, Crossbred chicken

Location: Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Variety and Species

Commodity: Chicken

Objectives:

To study the reproductive performance, reduction in body size, feed conversion efficiency and different dressing parameters of normal and dwarf genetic groups of crossbred chicken.

Methodology:

The Research was conducted for a period of 20 weeks from March to July. A total of 24 indigenous dwarf hens almost uniform in body size and age were collected from different district of Bangladesh according to the description. The experimental rooms for parent birds were properly cleaned and divided into 3 separated equal sized pens. Fresh rice husk at a depth of 5cm on floor was used as litter. The indigenous dwarf hens were randomly distributed into 3 treatment groups having 8 birds in each. The selected Rhode Island Red (RIR), White Leghorn (WLH) and Fayoumi (FO) cocks, 2 for each were placed into 3 pens respectively. A total of 180 eggs; 60 from each treatment group were collected and hatched in a forced draft incubator. The eggs were candled at 7^th and 14^th day of incubation and finally fertility, hatchability, dead-in-germ and dead-in-shell were recorded. Three selected pens were well prepared for brooding of chicks using electric brooder. Fresh rice husk at a depth of 7.5 cm was used as litter. Randomly selected 36 wing banded day-old chicks from each crossing were distributed in 3 treatment groups equally on the basis of genotypes (RIR LO adw; WLH × LO adw and FO x LO adw ) replicating those 3 times in each group and were brooded in separate pens up to 8 weeks. During 6-8 weeks of age the dwarf type was distinguishable. After identifying the dwarf and normal type each wing banded bird was transferred into the individual cage to observe their individual growth performance up to 20 weeks of age. After separating of normal and dwarf among 3 crossbreds the total genetic groups became 6. Body weight and feed conversion were recorded fort-nightly from 8-20 weeks of age. At 20 weeks of age male and female of normal and dwarf genetic group each of 3 birds, belonging the genotype WLH X LO adw were slaughtered and different parameters recorded to observe their muscular and skeletal differences. Identical as well as appropriate care and management were under taken to all the birds during crossing of parents, brooding and growing period of the chicks in regarding to the floor space, feeding, watering, lighting as well as sanitation and vaccination. Parent ration (crossing of cocks and hens), chick starter (0-6 weeks )and grower mash ration (7-20 weeks) formulated as per the BDS standard with locally available feed ingredients were supplied to the birds on ad libitum basis. Fresh clean water was supplied all the time. The birds were exposed to a lighting system, started with 24h/day and was decreased @ 1 hour per week until the night lighting is over, there after the birds were exposed only to natural day light up to 20 weeks of age. Strict hygienic and sanitation were maintained and the birds were vaccinated against Baby Chick Ranikhet, Ranikhet, Fowl Pox and Fowl Cholera diseases.

Source of Information: International Journal of Poultry Science 4 (6): 372-377, 2005, ISSN 1682-8356

Article Link (Online Journal): http://www.pjbs.org/ijps/fin321.pdf

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Considering the results of the current study, it was concluded that introgression of adw gene from indigenous to exotic breed should decrease the adult body size as well as feed intake of crossbred dwarfs in comparison with their normal sized counterparts, which is the prerequisite for the scavenging chicken. Although, further mass trial is needed before introducing this type of chicken as scavenger but the advantage of adw gene in terms of satisfactory fertility and hatchability, reduced adult body size, reduced feed intake, improved feed conversion and higher meat yield as well as livability could better be exploited by introgressing adw gene in smaller breeds like White Leghorn.

Knowledge Management: Journal