Evaluating the performance of Vanaraja female line (PD-2) chicken for fertility, hatchability, body weight, shank length and keel length

Balakrishna, R.G., Chinni, P.V., Gnana, P.G., Rajkumar, U., Gurram, S., Sai, R.S. andMounika, T. 2024. Evaluating the performance of Vanaraja female line (PD-2) chicken for fertility, hatchability, body weight, shank length and keel length. Indian Journal of Poultry Science, 59(02): 215–219.

The present study was aimed at evaluating the performance of Vanaraja female line (PD-2) chicken. Data collected on 3737 chicks, progeny of 50 sires and 250 dams produced in a pedigreed full sib mating at the Directorate of Poultry Research, Hyderabad in four hatches during 15^th generation were utilized for the present investigation for estimating various parameters. The results indicated that the mean fertility was 83.57 percent. The overall mean hatchability percentage was 72.66 on total eggs set (TES) and 86.95 on Fertile Eggs Set (FES). The mean fertility (83.57%) and hatchability (86.95 %) indicating the good reproduction and mothering of the PD-2 population. Highly significant (P<0.01) difference among the four hatches were observed for body weights at day old, 2, 4, 6, 12, 16, 20 and 40 weeks of age and hatch effect was observed for shank length at 4, 6 weeks of age and keel length at 6 weeks of age. Carcass traits such as live weight, dressing, and blood percent were significantly higher in male than female. Percent live weight of liver, gizzard, heart and feathers were significantly (P<0.01) higher in females than males.