Assessment of TANUVAS Aseel on the growth performance and suitability to backyard system in Virudhunagar District of Tamil Nadu

Abstract

The study has been carried out in ICAR Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Aruppukottai, Virudhunagar District of Tamil Nadu to assess the TANUVAS Aseel chicken for the growth performance and its suitability for backyard system of rearing in field conditions. Under the Front Line Demonstration (FLD) programme, 250 numbers of day-old straight run chicks of TANUVAS Aseel procured from Regional Research and Educational Centre (RREC), Pudukottai were distributed to the beneficiaries of Virudhunagar district. Body weight was recorded from day old to 12th week at weekly interval and from the data, weekly body weight gain was calculated to assess the growth performance. The mean (±S.E) hatch weight of TANUVAS Aseel chick recorded was 36.2±0.40g. The mean (±S.E) body weight at 8th week and 12th week was 700.2±0.85g and 1050.2±0.56g respectively. The maximum body weight gain of 119.88±0.62g was recorded during the eight week and thereafter gradual reduction in the rate of weight gain was noticed. In the study, the overall livability percentage recorded for TANUVAS Aseel was 95.8%. From the study it is obvious that, the growth performance of TANUVAS Aseel is promising and they can thrive well under hot semi-arid region of Virudhunagar district. Hence, TANUVAS Aseel can be a better option for backyard poultry farmers to get desirable market price in a short duration.