Comparative Evaluation of Growth Performance, Egg Production and Economic Efficiency of Vanaraja and Kaveri Birds under Backyard Production System

A field investigation was conducted to evaluate the comparative performance of Vanaraja and Kaveri birds under backyard production systems in Bardhaman district of West Bengal. Forty chicks comprising twenty Vanaraja and twenty Kaveri birds were distributed among selected farmers and reared under low-input backyard conditions. Data on growth performance, egg production, age at first egg and economic efficiency were recorded and analysed. Vanaraja birds exhibited significantly superior body weight and higher egg production compared to Kaveri birds. Earlier sexual maturity was also observed in Vanaraja birds. Economic analysis revealed higher gross return, net return and benefit-cost ratio in Vanaraja birds under backyard conditions. The findings indicated that Vanaraja birds were biologically superior and economically more viable than Kaveri birds under rural backyard farming systems.