Performance of Chara-Chemballi ducks under agro-climatic conditions of Assam

A study was carried out to evaluate the performance of Chara-Chemballi duck, the indigenous variety of Kerala under the agroclimatic conditions of rural Assam. A total of 560 ducklings from a single hatch were distributed among 56 women beneficiaries (10 ducklings/farmer) of Kamrup and Goalpara districts of Assam. All ducklings were reared under uniform managemental condition. A total of 100 male and 200 female ducklings were selected randomly and wing banded for recording of certain performance traits up to 72 weeks of age. The analyzed data indicated that there was significant (P<0.01) difference in body weight (g) between males and females at 4, 8, 12, 30, 40, 50 and 72 weeks of age, respectively. However, non-significant difference in body weight between sexes was recorded at 20 weeks of age. The average age of flock at first egg was 146.75±14.38 days. The average egg number up to 30, 50 and 72 weeks of age were 46.59±4.56, 116.24±3.57 and 185.56±3.87, respectively. The mean weight of first egg at 30, 40, 50 and 72 weeks of age was found to be 48.99±0.45, 62.31±0.63, 67.66±0.54, 72.36±0.45 and 75.67±0.42 g, respectively. The mortality of ducklings upto 8 weeks, 9 to 30 weeks, 31 to 50 weeks and 51 to 72 weeks of age was recorded as 5.25, 3.50, 2.48 and 3.32 per cent, respectively. The study revealed that the Chara-Chemballi ducks adapt well under the agro-climatic conditions of Assam with an annual egg production of 185.56 numbers and an average egg weight of 75.67 g at 72 weeks of age.