Performance of Vanaraja chicken in intensive system of management in Chhattisgarh

A study was conducted on 250 females and 50 males of Vanaraja chicken to evaluate the performance in the agro-climatic condition of Chhattisgarh. The birds were reared under intensive system of management for a period of 72 weeks. Significant differences in mean body weight were observed between the Vanaraja male and female. Linear regression analysis showed that the male grew (141.54±3.05/week, R² = 99.1%) faster than the females (103.45±2.10, R² = 99.2%). The feed consumption, feed conversion ratio and performance efficiency factor of male was higher than the female birds during the entire phase of the study. The age at first egg observed was 20 weeks and peak laying period was from 35 to 44 week of age. The mean hen house egg production was 153.72 eggs and under intensive system it was 144.40 eggs. Mortality per cent till 4^th and 72^nd wks of age was 7.6% and 12.84%, respectively. Thus present study concluded that performance of Vanaraja chicken was highly dependent on sex. The body weight, age at first egg and egg production performance were found better, suggesting that the Vanaraja chickens are suitable to rear in Chhattisgarh and are well adapted to the state agro climatic conditions.