Analysis of heterosis and combining ability for production and egg quality traits in complete diallel cross of three chicken breeds

A total of 320 birds of nine genetic groups viz. three purebreds (Ankleshwar, Nicobari and CARI-Red), three crossbreds (Ankleshwar x Nicobari, Ankleshwar x CARI-Red, Nicobari x CARI-Red) and three reciprocals (Nicobari x Ankleshwar, CARI-Red x Ankleshwar, CARI-Red x Nicobari) were obtained in a 3 x 3 full diallel cross made with two Indian chicken breeds i.e, Ankleshwar (AN), Nicobari (NC) and one exotic breed i.e, CARI-Red (CR). Daily egg collection was carried out and cumulative egg production was calculated on four week basis from 20^th to 72 weeks of age for each genetic groups. The heterosis estimates for egg production were higher in NC x CR crossbred and its reciprocal at all ages of measurements, followed by by ANxNC crossbred. The GCA, SCA, and reciprocal effects were significant (P<0.01) for egg production from 20^th to 72 weeks of age. The earliest sexual maturity (days) was observed in CARI Red (167d) followed by Nicobari (177d) and Ankleshwer (195d). Significant (P<0.01) differences were observed in GCA (additive), SCA (non-additive) and reciprocal effects for age at sexual maturity as well as egg quality traits at 40^th week of age. The highest values of heterosis for the egg quality traits were observed in NC x CR followed by ANxCR and ANxNC. It can be concluded that the use of native breed Nicobari as male line and exotic breed CARI red as female line could be the best breed combination for rural poultry production.