Heritability estimates for growth traits and response to selection on egg production in Desi chicken breed (Khukhri)

Dr Ravindra Kumar

doi:10.56093/ijans.v96i4.171804

Authors

Dr Ravindra Kumar Head, LPM

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijans.v96i4.171804

Keywords:

Body Weight, Desi chicken, Egg Production, Heritability, Selection Response, Shank Length.

Abstract

This research aimed to assess heritability and selection response for the body weight of Desi chickens at 0, 8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks of age, shank length at 8 and 16 weeks, and egg production up to 322 days, focusing on developing a dual-purpose breed. Data were gathered across five generations, and the response to selection was recorded. The heritability estimates for body weight were moderate up to 16 weeks of age and low at 20 weeks, indicating that body weight can be enhanced through selective breeding of the birds. The correlations between genotype and phenotype for growth traits were found to be high. A sex effect was noted, with males showing a greater response than females. Following five generations of selection, the pooled body weight of hens and cocks at 20 weeks increased by 148.94g. The increase in shank lengths was minimal. Heritability for shank length at 8 weeks was moderate. In the fifth generation, egg production showed an improvement of 20 eggs when compared to the first generation. The findings indicate that it is possible to enhance the Desi chicken, making it a promising dual-purpose indigenous breed suitable for free-range and semi-intensive rearing systems.

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Author Biography

Dr Ravindra Kumar, Head, LPM

Department of Livestock production Management, College of Veterinary Science, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand

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