Live Weight and Weight Gain of Indigenous Chicken under Scavenging Rearing System

Abstract

The study was conducted at Jhawtala and Santirhat in Chittagong during August to October, 2015 to know live weight and weight gain of indigenous chicken under scavenging rearing system. The average mature age and live weight of indigenous hen was higher at Jhawtala (12.00 ± 7.106 month and 966.66 ± 346.410g) than santirhat (12.9 ± 8.49 month, 943 ± 298g). Again average age of sexual maturity of hen and hatchability percentage was higher at Jhawtala (170 to 180 days and 75.5) than santirhat (180 to 190 days and 70.5). Egg weight was also higher at Jhawtala (39.11 ± 6.37g). Average live weight of chicks at 1st and 2nd week was higher in Jhawtala (36.3 ± 3.74g, 48.2 ± 3.08g) but chicks at 3rd and 4th week, was higher at Santirhat (62.00 ± 6.61g, 79.71 ± 6.84g). There was presence of significant (P<0.05) positive correlation of egg weight with hatched weight and that was 0.708. However, the genetics of indigenous chicken was found inert under scavenging rearing system.