Effect of housing system and dietary protein levels on conformation traits, feed efficiency and mortality of dual purpose coloured birds

A total number of 288 day old chicks of dual purpose coloured birds, 144 from each genotypic stock (G₁ and G₂) distributed in 24 replicated subgroups were evaluated for conformation traits, feed efficiency and percent mortality under three dietary regimes and two housing systems viz. deep litter (H₁) and cage housing system (H₂). Genotype G₁ and G₂ respectively were produced from normal bodied coloured dam and dwarf coloured dam by crossing with normal bodied coloured sire. Three dietary treatments were formulated considering 3 protein levels(18, 20 and 22%) having isocaloric levels i.e. 2800 Kcal ME/kg of diet through out the experimental period. Significant differences were observed for keel length measured in males and for breast angle in females. Both the sexes of G₁ genotype were found superior for conformation traits than the G₂ genotype whereas better feed efficiency was observed under deep litter housing system (H_1-). Significant genotype, housing system and protein effect was found for most of the weekly feed efficiency which was improved with increased protein level of diet and 20% dietary protein favoured better growth and resulted 100% survivability in both the genotypes. The result shows that the G₁ genotype have superior in feed efficiency and body conformation. Furthermore 20% dietary protein level under deep litter housing system improved the survivability rate among the G₁ genotype group while 100% survivability was observed in G₂ under cage system of management.