International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
R Bhattacharjya, A Haribhushan, TR Marak, T Monika Devi, B Langpoklakpam, RCA Sangma, B Ningthoujam, Milind B Katare, TDK Momin and A Karam

abstract
Meghalaya is a most popular hilly state for rural and tribal communities which are traditionally engaged in poultry rearing as a livelihood for centuries. In rural areas, desi chickens are commonly reared in backyard systems, but they characteristically have low efficiency in terms of egg and meat production. To enhance rural poultry farming and improve livelihoods, it is essential to promote the rearing of improved backyard poultry breeds that offer higher production while still being suited to local conditions. The present study was focused in order to evaluate production performances of three different types of chicken (Vanaraja, Rainbow Rooster and Desi birds). A total 120 nos. of tribal farmers were selected to assess different productive and reproductive traits for Desi, Vanaraja and Rainbow Rooster birds under field condition of Chokpot Block, South Garo Hills district, Meghalaya. The different parameters have been recording during the experiment i.e. mean body weight at various ages, age at first egg, egg production and egg weight at different stages and mortality rate. The results indicated that Vanaraja and Rainbow Rooster had significantly (P ? 0.01) higher body weight than the Desi chicken. The mean age at first egg of 188.45±1.05 days and 188.45±1.05 days observed in Vanaraja and Rainbow Rooster, respectively were significantly (P£0.05) lower than Desi bird (205.21±2.23days). The mean egg production and egg weight for Vanaraja and Rainbow Rooster were significantly (P£0.05) higher than the desi birds. However, no significant differences were observed in mean egg production and egg weight between Vanaraja and Rainbow Rooster at similar ages. Significantly (P£0.05) higher mortality rates were noticed in Vanaraja and Rainbow Rooster chicks, than the Desi chicks during 0-5 weeks of age. Therefore, the findings of this study indicated that the backyard poultry system with improved birds (Vanaraja and Rainbow Rooster) provides a better solution to Livelihood and nutritional security to the rural masses paving a way for sustainable livestock production in rural areas.