EFFECTS OF MANAGEMENT INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING ON INDIGENOUS (DESI) CHICKEN OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

The aims of study-1 was to determine the effects of separating baby chicks from their mother hen on commencement of next laying clutch of mother hen and growth rate of chicks and survival rate from 0 to 8 weeks of age. A native hen spends a higher percentage of its time in incubation of eggs, caring, rearing and protecting her chicks after hatching with low nutritional status of itself which is one of the reasons for delaying in commencement of next clutch and consequently low productivity. Egg production of native chicken assumed to be increased by shortening weaning period and improving nutrient intake. An on-farm trial was conducted in two locations (Dhamrai, Dhaka and Ullapara, Sirajganj, Bangladesh) during June 2009 to May 2010. In study-1 the chicks were separated at 3 weeks, 5 weeks and 7 weeks from mother hens, no chicks separation from mother hen as a control group was also in the study. The results showed for the above weeks that the next laying clutch of days were 36.33+2.5, 50.27+5.7, 56.8+4.7 and 63.47+7.3, respectively upon chick separation. The time period of commencement of next laying clutch was significantly different on age of chick separation (p<0.001). On the other hand, the separation of chicks from mother hen at 3, 5, 7 weeks and no chick separation had no significant effect on number of eggs laid in the next clutch. Body weights of chicks at 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 weeks at two locations were significantly different among the treatments. Body weights of mother hens at laying period and body weight after hatching period had no significant difference. The survival rate of chicks at 3 weeks was significantly higher compared to 5, 7 weeks and no chick separation group which showed that separation of chicks at 3 weeks decreased the time to next commencement of laying of mother hen. In study-2 supplementation of balanced mash feed was given to mother hen and baby chicks during June 2010 to May 2011 at the same two locations to know the effects of feed supplementation on them. The number of egg production of each clutch was higher with the significant difference (p<0.001) of 60 gm of balance mash feed compared to 40 gm, 50 gm and no supplementation. The weight of eggs were not significantly different among the treatments. Body weight of 8 weeks of chicks with 60 per cent balanced mash feed supplementation was significantly different (p<0.001) compared to 40 per cent, 50 per cent and no supplementation feed. The effect of feed supplementation on egg quality of shape index, albumen index, yolk index, Haugh Unit and shell thickness had no significant effect on different treatments, but the yolk color of fully scavenging group was significantly different compared to other treatments. The economic efficiency of the 60 gm supplementary group was higher compared to other treatments of feed supplementation. It is concluded that indigenous (Desi) chicken are more viable and economical with rural usual nourishment if they are treated with 60 gm balanced mash feed supplementation. Body weight and survival rate of chicks separated at 3 weeks were higher which implies that chick separation and feed supplementation is necessary for improvement of indigenous (Desi) chicken of Bangladesh.