Estimation of growth and immunocompetence traits in the progenies produced through di-allel crosses of Aseel, CARI-Red and Rhode Island Red chicken

This study was aimed at estimating the growth and immunocompetence traits in Aseel peela, CARI-Red, Rhode Island Red chickens and their crosses during brooding period. These chicken breeds were crossed in di-allel manner to obtain nine genetic groups. The chicks were reared in brooder brooders with standard management practices. Daily feed intake and biweekly body weights were recorded to study growth performance and feed efficiency. At 7^th week of age cell mediated (foot web index) and humoral immune response (antibody against sheep RBC) were evaluated. Data showed significant differences (P<0.01) in all the groups for body weights and body weight gains in both the sexes. Crossbreds weighed significantly (P<0.05) heavier than their purebreds counterpart at all ages. Among crossbred AP×CR showed highest body weights in both sexes. Between sexes, the males had higher body weight than their respective females in both pure and crossbreds. Feed conversion ratio was significantly different (P<0.05) only up to 2 weeks of age. No significant difference (P>0.05) was observed for cell mediated immune response in genetic groups for both sexes. Though males did not show significant difference (P>0.05) in humoral immune response, but the AP females (11.3) had significantly higher (P<0.05) HA titer than CARI-Red (10.9) females. From this study it can be concluded that crossbreds particularly, AP×CR may be recommended for backyard poultry farming due to their better growth in both the sexes. For further development of different backyard poultry crosses Aseel Pela can be used as sire line and CARI-Red as dam line.