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Online ISSN : 2349-8080 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorinchiefijcrbp@gmail.com |
There is no native chicken breed available for backyard rearing at high altitude of Leh-Ladakh region, due to the prevalent extreme climate, hypobaric-hypoxia and cold stress. Hence, commercial as well as backyard poultry rearing of various poultry breeds are not profitable in high altitude of Leh-Ladakh region, as it is causing economic loss due to their poor growth and survivability. A study was undertaken to assess the growth performance and survivability of dual-purpose CHABRO-black strain (CPDO, Chandigarh) at high altitude i.e. of Leh-Ladakh region. Two hundred and forty (240) unsexed day old chicks of dual-purpose CHABRO-black line strain were inducted at Leh: a high altitude region of height of around 11,500 feet above mean sea level. Weekly body weight of the birds was recorded till the 19th week. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) and mortality were recorded during the growing phase i.e. up to 8th week. The result indicated that one kilogram in body weight gain was attained at around 60 days of age, which showed slower rate as compared to their weight gain in low altitude region. Feed conversion ratio was found to be in range of 1.5-3.0 during the growing phase. Further, mortality was found to be 3.5% during the first week of induction of these chicks at high altitude and thereafter, mortality was completely reduced after three weeks. Pattern of mortality was because of ascites and impaction. This study revealed that CHABRO-black strain chicken is having good growth performances and survivability at high altitude. However an elaborative study is required on growth and production parameters, mortality, genetic adaptability etc. to better understand their economics and acceptability by local population of Leh-Ladakh.
Backyard farming Chabro-black,Feed conversion ratio,High altitude,Mortality,Native chicken,
