Studies of carcass characteristics of crosses of Native, PB2 and Dahlem Red (F3) chicken under different systems of rearing

Abstract

Native, PB2 and Dahlem Red (F3) crosses is a newly developed variety of chicken produced by crossing of three different types of strains in the Poultry Demonstration and Experimental Unit (PDEU) of College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Dau Shri Vasudev Chandrakar Kamdhenu Vishwavidyalaya (DSVCKV), Anjora, Durg. Chhattisgarh, India. A study was conducted to evaluate the carcass characteristics at 12 weeks of crosses of Native, PB2 and Dahlem Red (F3) chicken under intensive, semi-intensive and backyard rearing system. 6 birds (3 males and 3 females) from each group reared under intensive, semi-intensive and backyard systems were randomly selected for the study of carcass traits. The overall mean pre- slaughter live weight was found significantly higher (p< 0.001) under intensive (932.83±18.546 g) and semi-intensive (873.33±25.155 g) compared to those under backyard (799.17±6.363 g) rearing system. The overall mean dressed yields (%) were recorded as 78.27±0.400, 77.94±0.577 and 77.53±0.472% respectively for intensive, semi-intensive and under backyard systems of rearing. Significantly higher (p< 0.01) mean giblet yields (%) were recorded under backyard (5.6±0.262%) than semi-intensive (5.39±0.247) than under intensive (5.21±0.373%) systems of rearing. The mean yield (%) of thigh, breast, back, drumstick, wings and neck of crossed chicken under intensive, semi-intensive and backyard systems of rearing differed significantly (p< 0.05).