Evaluation of Comparative Performance of Native X PB2, Dahlem Red Chicken and Their Crosses under Intensive Management System in Chhattisgarh

Background: Developing and propagating location-specific rural chicken varieties appropriate for the current circumstances in various regions of the nation is the goal of the AICRP on Poultry Breeding. In regards to this, the current study evaluated the production performance of Native × PB2 cross chicken, Dahlem Red and their crosses under an intensive management system in the Chhattisgarh region, with the goal of developing a new location-specific dual purpose breed. Methods: At the Poultry Demonstration and Experimental Unit, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anjora, DSVCKVV, Durg, 240 day-old chicks from each group were raised under intensive management system. They were assessed for body weight (g) at day old, 4, 8, 12 and 20 weeks of age; shank length and keel bone length at 20, 32 and 40 weeks of age; age at sexual maturity (ASM); hen housed egg production (HHEP), hen day egg production (HDEP) at 28, 32 and 40 weeks of age; and egg weight at 28, 32, 36 and 40 weeks of age. Result: There were significant (P≤0.05) differences among all 3 genetic groups for body weights, shank and keel length, sexual maturity, egg production and egg weight. Body weights at different age differed significantly between three groups; irrespective of age Native X PB2 (1607.38±9.24 g) crossbred recorded higher body weight compared to Dahlem Red (1185.17±7.80 g) and Dahlem Red X ( Native X PB2) (1480.35±12.16 g) crosses at 20 weeks of age. The age at sexual maturity differed significantly and lowest age of sexual maturity was recorded for Native X PB2 (166.25±1.49 days) crossbred. Egg weight at 40 weeks of age differed significantly and recorded higher for Dahlem Red (61.73±0.85g) followed by Dahlem Red X ( Native X PB2) (52.36±0.88 g) than Native X PB2 (50.57±0.10 g) crossbred. The hen day egg production up to 40 weeks of age was higher for Dahlem Red (54.63±0.66) followed by Dahlem Red X (Native X PB2) (50.11±0.76) crosses than Native X PB2 (31.69±0.90) cross. The study concluded that Native X PB2 crosses may be useful for coloured meat birds and Dahlem Red X (Native X PB2) may be useful for dual purpose bird and Dahlem Red may be useful for layer type bird under same management and rearing conditions.