Performance of crossbred colour line and austra-white chicken for layer traits

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at Kerala Agricultural University Poultry Farm, Mannuthy, to evaluate and compare the production traits of Austra- White and Colourline under farm conditions. One hundred pullets of each crossbred were housed in identical pens (ten birds each) and production performance was evaluated for five periods (each 28 days) from 21 to 40 weeks of age. Standard feeding and managemental practices were followed throughout the study. The Colourline birds were heavier than Austra- White at 20 and 40 weeks of age. The mean body weight for Colourline and Austra-White was 1493.65 ± 14.02 g vs. 1215.60 ± 20.61 g and 1863.15 ± 13.46 vs. 1424.40 ± 28.01 at 20 and 40 weeks of age, respectively. The age at first egg was similar in Austra- White (158.9 ± 2.26 days) and Colourline (158.9 ± 1.96 days). The age at 50 per cent production was 177.7 ± 1.37 days in Austra-White and 175.1 ± 1.28 days in Colourline. The overall mean hen housed number up to 40 weeks of age was 74.31 in Austra- White and 77 .59 in Colourline. The hen day production was 74.88 in Austra-White and 77.71 in Colourline. The overall mean egg weight was 47.12 ± 1.05 gin Austra-White and 44.76 ± 1.29 gin Colourline The mean daily feed consumption from 21 to 40 weeks of age was 104.07 ± 4.16 g in Austra-White and 106.46 ± 4.37 g in Colourline. The feed conversion ~ ratio was 2.07 ± 0.18 (per dozen eggs) in Austra- White and 1.98 ± 0.18 (per dozen eggs) in Colourline, 3.59 ± 0.33 (per kg egg mass) in Austra-White and 3.59 ± 0.35 (per kg egg mass) in Colourline. The shape index was 76.25 ± 0.37 in Austra-White and 77.67 ± 0.33 in Colourline. The albumen index was 0.1080 ± 0.004 in Austra-White and 0.1142 ± 0.002 in Colourline. The yolk index was 0.4257 ± 0.007 in Austra-White and 0.4439 ± 0.007 in Colourline. The shell thickness was 0.3889 ± 0.117 mm in Austra-White and 0.3638 ± 0.006 mm in Colourline. The Haugh Unit score was 88.06 ± 1.39 in Austra- White and 90.52 ± 0.91 in Colourline. Austra- White had uniform plumage pattern with black spots

on a dull white background on all parts of the body and ColourIine were multicoloured with various feather patterns. Egg shell was tinted in Austra- White while Colourline eggs were brown. The livability was 97 per cent in Austra- White and 99 per cent in Colourline. The cost of feed consumed per egg was 181 paise in Austra- White and 176 paise in Colourline. The results indicated that the Colourline might be utilised for rearing in backyard.