A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON GROWTH AND PRODUCTION TRAITS OF IMPROVED POULTRY BREEDS UNDER BACKYARD MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN SOUTH 24 PARGANAS DISTRICT OF WEST BENGAL, INDIA

Four chicken genotypes (Rhode Island Red, Vanaraja, Haringhata Black and Divyayan Red) were evaluated for their suitability under backyard farming in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, India. The experiment was carried out in a randomized design with seven replications. Body weight gain and adult body weight (2008.3 gm) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in Divyayan Red. This breed was also proved to be superior to other three breeds in terms of age at sexual maturity (168 days), egg production (155 numbers) and egg weight (55.5 gm). It can be concluded that Divyayan Red breed could be considered for poultry breeding programs in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, India.