Vol. 9, Issue 6, Part K (2024)

Author(s): Akila N

Abstract: The present study aimed at evaluating the comparative performances of improved varieties such as Vanaraja and Gramapriya with native chicken under semi intensive system of rearing and the challenges in rearing improved strains compared to the native chicken. The average flock size maintained by the farmers is 59 Vanaraja and 63 Gramapriya birds respectively. Though the number of farmers purchased the birds were large, repeated purchase done by the farmers is less. Only 23 farmers purchased Gramapriya chicks more than once and 12 farmers purchased Vanaraja as the second time. The number of eggs found to be high in gramapriya (185) followed by vanaraja (143). The gross cost /bird was high in vanaraja (Rs.223/-) followed by gramapriya (Rs.180/-) whereas the gross income was high in gramapriya (Rs.1875/year) followed by vanaraja (Rs.1121/year). Though the production performance is comparatively low in native chicken the consumer preference is high, so the gross income is also high in native chicken (Rs.3275/year). The average age at first egg production in Aseel chicken was 184 days which was more when compared with Vanaraja and Gramapriya birds. Among these two improved varieties, one week difference was noticed in age at first egg production between Gramapriya (145 days) and Vanaraja (152 days). The comparative estimate of egg production revealed that egg production for Gramapriya (178) is comparatively higher than Vanaraja (160) followed by Aseel (62) chicken. The body weight gain and feed intake was calculated with all the three strains and found that the FCR is almost equal for vanaraja and gramapriya (3.3) whereas it is high in native chicken (3.9). Vanaraja attains 1.5kg body weight in six months and Gramapriya attained 1.2kg followed by native chicken 1.1kg in the same period.