Performance of Vanaraja birds reared under intensive system of management in Assam

An experiment was conducted to study the different traits of Vanaraja bird reared under intensive rearing system. The overall body weight from day-old to 40 weeks of age, average age at sexual maturity, Shank length, keel length and breast angle were recorded as 39.63±0.50 g to 3770.53±285.00 g, 147.50±5.46 days, 52.59±4.32 mm, 72.58±9.56 mm and 68.75±7.38°, respectively during the study. The egg production up to 40 weeks and egg weight at 40 weeks of age was recorded as 53.25±5.61 nos and 59.5±3.25 g, respectively. During the study feed conversion ratio was recoded as 2.75±0.21. Fertility percentage was calculated as 83.36±5.32. Hatchability on total and fertile egg set was recorded as 62.02±4.39% and 79.23±5.31%. Shape index, albumin index and yolk index were recorded as 68.08±3.25%, 0.16±0.01 and 0.59± 0.02. Highest mortality (4.87±0.56%) was recorded in the age group of 6–20 weeks. During 0–5 weeks and 21–40 weeks the mortality percentage was 1.99±0.21 and 3.41±0.42, respectively. The overall mean values for body weight at the time of slaughter (g), dressed yield (%), giblet yield (%), and ready to cook yield (%) were recorded as 1810.26±260.69 g, 68.01±2.91%, 4.10±0.32%, 72.11±5.11%, respectively. From the result it can be concluded that Vanaraja bird can be successfully raised in agro climatic condition of Assam.