Evaluating the varied economic traits of Kamrupa chickens in backyard rearing systems of Assam

Abstract

Kamrupa, a dual-type, high-yielding chicken breed developed through the efforts of the AICRP on Poultry Breeding at AAU, Khanapara, has been successfully introduced across various regions of the North East. However, comprehensive studies regarding the productive and reproductive performance of Kamrupa chickens under the backyard rearing system in Assam are exceedingly limited. With this gap in mind, the current research aims to evaluate the economic characteristics of Kamrupa chickens within the context of the backyard rearing system in Assam.The study encompassed a range of parameters, including body weights at various stages (day old, 5, 20, 40, 52, and 72 weeks), age at initial egg laying, egg production up to 40, 52, and 72 weeks, egg weights at 32, 40, 52, and 72 weeks, age at sexual maturity, carcass attributes, egg quality traits, fertility, and hatchability. Analysis of the data revealed that the average body weights for Kamrupa chickens were as follows: 36.59±2.45 (day old), 218.25±28.95 (5 weeks), 1045.19±31.02 (20 weeks), 1721.56±41.57 (40 weeks), 1756.57±43.31 (52 weeks), and 2045.65±59.26 (72 weeks). Egg production data highlighted that Kamrupa chickens yielded 42. 34±2.96, 83.56±5.96, and 143.45±8.69 eggs up to 40, 52, and 72 weeks, respectively. In conclusion, the study implies that Kamrupa chickens exhibit superior performance in terms of body weight, egg production, and various other traits when reared under the backyard system in Assam.