PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT OF NATIVE CHICKEN STRAINS AS BROILERS

Abstract

This study assessed the performance of native chicken strains; Naked Neck, Frizzle, and Seim as broilers under the same management conditions at Pantang Phangkhar under Zhemgang Dzongkhag. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized experimental design. Throughout the experiment period of 42 days, birds were weighed in groups every 7 days to calculate Average Daily Gain (ADG). Daily feed offered and refusals were recorded to compute Average Daily Feed Intake (ADFI) as the difference between the two measures. Data on ADG, ADFI, and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) were analyzed. Data were collected from 90 unsexed chicks comprising 30 each of Naked Neck, Frizzle, and Seim. The slight difference in body weight between the three native chicken strains (Seim; 330.08 ± 64.01 g, Naked Neck: 373.42 ± 92.07 g, and Frizzle; 314.95 ± 75.46 g) was found in this study. On 42-day, there was a modest difference in weight between Naked Neck and Frizzle. Similarly, ADG was also recorded little higher in Naked Neck (2.15 ± 0.50g) followed by Seim (1.92 ± 0.51g), and Frizzle (0.72 ± 0.61 g) with no significant difference (p = 0.98) among three native strains. At the conclusion of the experiment, five randomly chosen birds from each strain were slaughtered and dressed to assess carcass characteristics. The Pearson correlation test indicated perfect positive correlation (r=1.00) between live weight and hot carcass weight, live weight and dressing percentage, live weight and shank or leg weight, hot carcass weight and shank weight, head weight and shank weight. Naked Neck showed comparatively better broiler characteristic than the Frizzle and Seim in terms of FCR, ADG, eviscerated weight and dressing percentage. The results of this study indicated that Naked Neck can be promoted as a native broiler strain. However, an in-depth study is recommended to gain a scientific understanding of native broilers, which should continue until a substantial market size is achieved and an extended study duration is covered.