Comparison of social ranks based on ethogram and social dominance tests in Vencobb and Vanaraja birds

An experiment was conducted to compare the social ranks of Vencobb and Vanaraja birds based on ethogram andsocial dominance tests. Ethogram recording was done during the winter (December to January) and summer (May to June). The social dominance test (Runway test, aggression test and food running behaviour) was done at the end of the summer season with some individual reared selected birds. For ethogram comparison forty five day-old chicks were selected for experiment. All the deep litter rearing arrangements were prepared 2 days prior to the arrival of chicks. The experimental birds were randomly divided in to three groups T₁ (30 Vencobb birds), T₂ (30 Vanaraja birds) and T₃ (15 Vencobb birds + 15 Vanaraja birds). The major daily behavioural activities as feeding time, roaming time, resting time, and sleeping time were recorded during the experiment. During winter Vencobb birds spent about 29.83% time on feeding, 30.04% time on roaming, 18.00% time on resting and 22.13% time on sleeping. The feeding time reduced significantly (P<0.05%) to 22.83% and resting time increased to 27.96%. in mixed group housing. In summer Vencobb birds spent about 26.31% time on feeding, 28.04% time on roaming, 21.36% time on resting and 24.28% time on sleeping. The feeding time reduced significantly (P<0.05%) to 21.36% and the resting time increased to 30.47%%. in mixed group housing. In winter Vanaraja birds spent about 22.63% time on feeding, 37.04% time on roaming, 21.96% time on resting and 18.38% time. Feeding time increased significantly (P<0.05%) when housed with Vencobb to 28.21%, whereas the sleeping time got reduced significantly (P<0.05%) to 11.75%. In summer Vanaraja birds spent about 21.63% time on feeding, 32.12% time on roaming, 26.17% time on resting and 20.08% time on sleeping. Feeding time increased significantly (P<0.05%) when housed with Vencobb to 24.74%, whereas the sleeping time got reduced significantly (P<0.05%) to 12.83%. In social dominancy test Vencobb birds were dominant in food running behaviour (66.66% vs. 52.08%) aggression test (58.33% vs. 45.83%) whereas Vanaraja birds were dominant in running test (68.74% vs. 47.91%). It may conclude that the Vencobb birds are dominant and more aggressive than the Vanaraja birds.