Evaluation of a three-way cross of PB-2, indigenous and Dahlem Red chicken under extensive system of management

A study was undertaken in a crossbred chicken population (PB-2 x Indigenous X Dahlem Red). PB-2 broiler and Dahlem Red layer strains, respectively maintained under the project AICRP on Poultry Breeding, Directorate of Research (Vety.), Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati-22. A total of 1210 chicks hatched out during the period from February 2013 to March 2013 were utilized in the study. The age at sexual maturity was recorded as 153.25±4.56 days, egg production up to 32 and 40 weeks and egg weight at 32^nd and 40^th weeks of age were recorded as 42.52±1.29, 70.19±2.56, 42.33±2.59 g and 54.93±2.68 g, respectively. The egg quality traits like shape index, albumin index, yolk index, Haugh unit and shell thickness were recorded as 75.25±3.64, 0.084±0.001, 0.401±0.009, 78.44±1.37 and 0.291±0.004, respectively.