Factors affecting fertility, hatchability and chick survivability of Vanaraja birds under intensive rearing in sub-temperate condition

MAHAK SINGH; R ISLAM; R K AVASTHE

doi:10.56093/ijans.v88i3.78366

Authors

MAHAK SINGH Scientist, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, Medziphema, Nagaland
R ISLAM Senior Scientist, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Sikkim Centre, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim 737102 India
R K AVASTHE Principal Scientist and Joint Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Sikkim Centre, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim 737102 India

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijans.v88i3.78366

Keywords:

Fertility, Hatchability, Sikkim, Survivability, Vanaraja

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the effect of various factors viz. season, age of hen, egg weight and source of egg on reproductive performance of Vanaraja birds at an altitude of 1300 m at mean sea level in Sikkim. Fertility rate during summer was significantly higher than spring and winter. Fertility rate was significantly higher from 41 to 50 age of week as compared to 51 weeks onwards. Significantly higher fertility rate was observed in medium size egg as compared to other groups. The fertility rate of eggs produced in the farmers field were significantly lower than at farm. Hatchability on fertile egg set was highest during spring followed by summer while it was significantly lower during winter. Significantly higher hatchability was observed in age of 26 to 40 weeks compared to 51–60 and 61–70 weeks of age. Also, significantly higher hatchability was observed in medium size egg group than the other two groups. Chick weight on day of hatching was significantly higher in summer compared to autumn and winter. Egg weight also significantly affects chick weight which was highest in medium size egg. Significantly higher chick’s survivability was recorded in summer, spring and autumn season as compared to winter. Although, season, age of hen, egg weight and source of egg affected the production performance of Vanaraja birds, but it can be reared successfully throughout the year for production purpose.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Buragohain R, Ahmed F A, Ghosh M K and Bhattacharya M. 2005. Hatchability and growth performance of Vanaraja birds in high altitude areas of Arunachal Pradesh. Indian Veterinary Journal 83: 762–63.

Chowdhury M M I, Ashraf A, Mondal S P, Mondal N M and Hasan M M. 2004. Effect of season on the hatchability of duck eggs. International Journal of Poultry Science 3(6): 419–21. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3923/ijps.2004.419.421

Elibol O, Peak S D and Brake J. 2002. Effect of flock age, length of egg storage and frequency of turning during storage on hatchability of broiler hatching eggs. Poultry Science 81: 945– 50. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ps/81.7.945

Islam S S, Hossain M B and Khan M K A. 2008. Effect of genotype, age and season on hatchability of eggs. Bangladesh Journal of Animal Science 37(1): 17–22. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v37i1.9863

Kingori A M. 2011. Review of the factors that influence egg fertility and hatchability in poultry. International Journal of Poultry Science 10(6): 438–92. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3923/ijps.2011.483.492

Leeson S and Summers J D. 2000. Broiler breeder production. University Books Guelph, Ontario, Canada. pp 12–13.

Narahari D, Mujeer K A, Thangavel A, Ramamurthy N, Viswanathan S, Mohan B, Burunganandan B and Sundararasu V. 1988. Traits influencing the hatching performance of japaneese quail eggs. British Poultry Science 29(1): 101– 12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668808417031

Niranjan M, Sharma R P, Rajkumar U, Reddy B L N, Chatterjee R N and Battacharya T K. 2008. Comparative evaluation of production performance in improved chicken varieties for backyard farming. International Journal of Poultry Science 7(11): 1128–31. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3923/ijps.2008.1128.1131

Nort M O and Bell D D. 1990. Commercial Chicken Production Manual. 4th edn., Avi, New York.

Patra M K, Sanchu V, Ngullie E, Hajra D K and Deka B C. 2016. Influence of egg weight on fertility and hatchability of backyard poultry varieties maintained under institutional farm conditions. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences 86(8): 869–72.

Sankhya V, Thakur Y P, Katoch S and Dogra P K. 2015. Factors affecting fertility, hatchability and chick survivability in poultry germplasm under sub temperate condition. Himachal Journal of Agricultural Research 41(1): 83–85.

Tona K O, Onagbesan B, De Ketelaere E, Decupere and Bruggeman. 2004. Effect of age of broiler breeders and egg storage on egg quality, hatchability, chick quality, chick weight and chick post hatch growth to forty two days. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 13: 10–18. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/japr/13.1.10

Van de Ven L J F, van Wagenberg V, Debonne M, Decuypere E, Kemp B et al. 2011. Hatching system and time effects on broiler physiology and posthatch growth. Poultry Science 90: 1267–75. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.2010-00876