Comparative study of feed consumption and FCR per dozen of eggs among kadaknath, RIR and their crosses involving diallel matings

The present experiment was undertaken to study the egg production characters of Kadaknath and Rhode Island Red breeds and their F₁ progeny of reciprocal matings and back crosses in a trial involving diallel matings. The GCA estimate for feed intake did not show any significant difference within the lines G1, G2, G3 and G4. The SCA for the same was significantly higher in combination, R X RK than others. The RE was significantly higher in combination KR X K than others. The GCA estimate for FCR/dozen of eggs was significantly higher in line G4 (K X K) than the others. The SCA for the same was significantly higher in combination K X KR. The RE was significantly higher in combination RKX K. The means for feed consumption showed significant (P ≤ 0.01) difference for weeks and replicates but the differences were non-significant for the genetic groups. For feed/dozen of eggs, highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences were noted in genetic groups and weeks. The means of GCA, SCA and RE for feed consumption indicated non-significant differences. Whereas, FCR/dozen of eggs revealed significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences for GCA and SCA, but non-significant differences for RE.