Comparative performance of Vanaraja, Srinidhi and Desi chicken under traditional system among tribal community of Assam

A study was conducted covering a total of one hundred chicken farmers in tribal dominated Boko Block of Kamrup district in Assam to assess different productive and reproductive traits of Desi, Vanaraja and Srinidhi birds under field condition. Information was obtained on mean body weight at various ages, age at first egg, annual egg production, fertility and hatchability and mortality rate. Body weight, egg production and egg weight were significantly (P≤0.05) higher in Vanaraja and Srinidhi birds compared to Desi chicken. The age at first egg was significantly (P≤0.05) higher in Desi chicken while compared with Vanaraja and Srinidhi under traditional system of management. However no significant (P≤0.05) difference was found between Vanaraja and Srinidhi in their body weight and egg production at various ages. Higher mortality percent in Vanaraja (12.23±1.62) and Srinidhi (11.34±1.23) were recorded during 0 to 5 week. No significant (P≤0.05) differences were found among all three groups of birds in fertility and hatchability.