A Study on Phenotypic and Reproductive Characteristics of layer chicken in commercial farm of Fatikchari upazilla, Chattogram

Abstract

The area of Chattogram is well known for its chicken farms. Here, the number of commercial layer farms increases daily. Therefor, a study was conducted in commercial layer farm in Fatikchari under Chittagong district to observe the phenotypic and reproductive characteristics of commercial layer chicken in this area. A study was conducted for a period of 1 month 10 days ( from 16th April to 25th May, 2023) at 6 unions ( Nanupur, Baktapur, Samitirhat, Paindanga, Kanchan nagar, Jafatnagar ) Fatikchhari, Chattogram. A random sample of 125 layer chickens was chosen from several commercial layer farms. Then their phenotypic and reproductive characteristics werer studied by collecting data. There was found 88% Red brown RIR, 84% Fayoumi and 92% Sonali chicken. Their shank color had found variation like Fayoumi had 100% Black shank, RIR and Sonali both had 100% yellowish shank RIR produced 56±2.645 gm egg whereas Fayoumi and Sonali produced average 45.2±0.836 gm and 48±1.581 gm. That means RIR produced heavier eggs than Fayoumi and Sonali chickens. Moreover, Fayoumi produced 100% white while RIR and Sonali egg color was 100% brown. Again mean egg length of Fayoumi, RIR and Sonali chickens were 4.0±1.00 cm, 6.04±0.181 cm and 5.28±0.258 cm. That means,RIR was showed highest egg length among three breed. The average egg volume of Fayoumi, RIR and Sonali chickens were 33.34±1.665 𝑐𝑚3 , 63.06±6.104 𝑐𝑚3 , 44.82±5.044 𝑐𝑚3 . Egg volume of RIR was higher than Sonali and Fayoumi. The average Shell weight of Fayoumi, RIR and Sonali chickens were 6.5±0.598 gm, 10.62±0544 gm and 8.14±0.288 gm. Shank length of Fayoumi, RIR and Sonali chickens were 4.06±0.114 cm, 9.1±0.158 cm and 3.94±0.114 cm. Again Beak length of Fayoumi, RIR and Sonali chickens were 2.01±0.013 cm, 2.0±0.071 cm and 1.99±0.023 cm. Neck length of Fayoumi, RIR and Sonali chickens were 13.34±0.882 cm, 14.38±0.593 cm and 13.38±1.103 cm. The result of three breeds nearly similar. No difference was found in egg shell color of RIR and Sonali layers, the egg shell was brown in color while Fayoumi egg was white. It may be concluded that three genetic groups of chicken had physical variation for both qualitative and quantitative traits.