Evaluation of production and reproduction traits in kadaknath chicken under intensive rearing system in Chhattisgarh

Experiment was conducted with an objective to study the productive and reproductive traits in two hundred Kadaknath birds. Age at sexual maturity was observed as 166 days. The mean hatchability percentage observed on total egg set and fertile egg set basis was 70.34±2.15 and 77.60±1.63%, respectively. The mean fertility percentage was 89.82±1.25%. The stage of laying was found to have significant effect on both, the hatchability and fertility. The annual egg production per bird was 123.55eggs. Significant effect of stage of laying period was found on egg production. The curve fitting models includes Polynomial function, Exponential function, Logarithmic Function, Inverse polynomial Function and Logistic Function. Out of the five curves fitted the Polynomial Function curve describes the egg production curve best and it has the accuracy of 60%. The pooled mean of egg weight (g) was found to be 43.43±0.06. Kadaknath is a native breed having lower egg production which can be improved by appropriate breeding and conservation scheme.