Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar - 263 145, (UA).
An attempt was made to study the growth, conformation traits and egg production using 767 birds of 6 different genetic groups viz., Kadaknath × Rhode Island Red, Aseel × Rhode Island Red, Aseel × Brown Cornish, Kadaknath × Brown Cornish, Rhode Island Red × Aseel and Brown Cornish × Kadaknath, at Instructional Poultry Farm (IPF), G.B.Pant Univ. of Agri. & Tech., Pantnagar. Among the six genetic groups Kadaknath × Brown Cornish attained maximum body weight (1023 g) at 10th week, followed marginally by Aseel × Brown Cornish and minimum in Kadaknath × Rhode Island Red (762g). In all the crosses there was an average weekly body weight gain of about 100–125g/week after 4th week onwards. The average keel bone length at 10th week of age in combined sexes of the groups ranged from 7.05 to 7.38 cm, for shank length from 5.99 to 6.67 cm and for breast angle from 57.49 to 63.01 degrees. Maximum egg production on hen-housed basis was recorded in Rhode Island Red × Aseel (52.58 eggs) and minimum in Brown Cornish × Kadaknath (24.55 eggs). From the results, it may be concluded that Rhode Island Red × Aseel and Aseel × Brown Cornish groups performed better in Tarai region for egg and meat production, respectively.
Body weight, chickens, crossbred, egg, growth
