Immunocompetence in native and exotic chicken populations and their crosses developed for rural farming

Four pure chicken breeds viz. Dahlem Red (DR). Aseel (AS). Kadaknath (KN) and White Leghorn (WL) along with their selective crosses were evaluated for general immunocompetence traits at 10–12 weeks of age. A total of 170 birds were used. The traits studied were antibody response to Sheep Red Blood Cell (HA titre to SRBC). In-vivo cell mediated immune response to Conconavalin-A (CMI to Con A). serum lysozyme level, serum haemolytic complement level and phagocytic index. Significant breed differences were observed for antibody response to SRBC, serum lysozyme levels, and serum haemolytic complement levels. The Dahlem Red birds had signitlcantly higher HA titre (9.21±0.46), serum lysozyme level (6.86±0.21) and serum haemolytic complement level (6.74±0.23). For CMI response to Con-A and phagocytic index, the breeds did not differ significantly. Though the cross breeds showed significant differences among themselves for HA titre to SRBC, serum lysozyme level and CMI response to Con-A, but no distinct superiority of any particular cross bred was observed. In general, the immunocompetcnce traits did not show consistent and sizable positive heterotic effects.