Comparative evaluation of production performance of different crosses generated for backyard poultry farming

The comparative performance of four different crosses developed using Dahlem red (D) and Tripura black native (N) germplasm were evaluated for rural poultry production. Two F₁ crosses namely DN and ND are the reciprocal crosses of Dahlem red and Tripura black nativegermplasm. The other two crosses DND and DDN were generated using males of Dahlem red stock and females of DN and ND crosses to develop 75% inheritance of Dahlem red. The data on body weights at different ages, age at sexual maturity, egg production up to 40 weeks of age and mortality during brooding, growing and laying period were recorded. The highest mean body weight at 40 weeks of age was observed in DDN cross. The body weights of DND and DDN crosses from 02-20 weeks of age were significantly higher than the ND and DN crosses. The DN cross recorded a lower age at sexual maturity in comparison to other crosses. The egg weights were not significantly different among the ND, DND and DDN crosses; however, DN cross was significantly higher than the DND cross. The egg production up to 40 weeks of age of DDN cross was higher than the other crosses. Both DND and DDN crosses (having 75% Dahlem red inheritance) showed improved egg production compared to their counterpart ND and DN crosses (having 50 % Dahlem red inheritance). The mortality during brooding was quite low in all the crosses. The overall mortality ranged from 7.40% in DND to 12.30% in DDN cross. Considering the overall performance of all four crosses, it is concluded that the DDN cross is better among the four crosses evaluated at Tripura Centre but more trials at farm and field evaluation are essential before releasing it as a suitable backyard layer for the North East Region of India.