Evaluation of experimental crosses for broiler traits

Vittal Kumar, H. N. N. Murthy and G. Devegowda
Veterinary College, University of Agricultural sciences, Bangalore

A study was conducted to evaluate different crosses viz., Cross – I : ( Control x Punjab Broiler 2 ); Cross ­– II : ( Control x Control ); Cross – III : ( Hyderabad Blue x Punjab Broiler 2 ); Cross – IV : ( University Male line x Punjab Broiler 2 ) with an objective of identifying the best parental combination. A total of 1600 chicks were taken out of a single hatch comprising of 400 in Cross - I, 400 in Cross - II, 400 in Cross – III and 400 in Cross – IV. Each cross consisting of 4 replicates of 100 birds each. Body weight gain and feed intake were recorded weekly. Dressing percentage, giblet weight, keel length and shank length were recorded at the end of trial. The average body weight recorded over six weeks of age were 1296g, 1202g, 1151g and 1118g in Cross-I, Cross-II, Cross - III and Cross - IV respectively. Cross-I showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher growth rate when compared with other genetic groups. The lower feed conversion ratio at six weeks of age was recorded in Cross I (1.91) compared to Cross II (2.22), Cross III (2.38) and Cross IV (2.44). The dressing percentage and giblet weight, were significantly higher in Cross-I being 73.08 per cent. The average shank and keel length at six weeks of age for combined sexes in Cross- I was 6.80cm and 11.43cm respectively and were significantly longer (P <0.05) when compared with other genetic crosses. The mean percent survivability up to six weeks of age was highest in Cross-I (98.75%) as against to the lowest survivability observed in Cross-III (97.75%). The study indicated superiority of Cross-I (C x PB 2) in respect of all the traits studied.

Source : IPSACON-2005

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