Performances of upgraded Dwarf-Fayoumi chicken genotype in different feeding systems under smallholder farm management

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of upgraded Dwarf-Fayoumi genotype (IDC♂ × Fay♀) with three different feeding regimes from onset of lay to 72 weeks of age. A total of 90 IDC♂ × Fay♀ birds of third generation (F₃) at 16 weeks of age were distributed to 15 selected farmers nearby three villages of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. The villages were Kewatkhali, Boyra and Sutiakhali that selected for intensive, semi-scavenging and scavenging feeding systems, respectively. Each farmer was also given 5 pullets and 1 cockerel. The birds of full feeding and semi-scavenging system were given 76 g and 38 g mash feed per day, respectively. Pullets of semi-scavenging condition were allowed to scavenge in the farmer homesteads. The birds under scavenging condition reared without supplementation and were allowed to scavenge all day long. Result showed a significant difference (p<0.05) among the feeding systems (intensive, semi-scavenging and scavenging) in production and reproduction traits, where intensive full feeding system exerted better performances. However, performance efficiency index (52.24), egg-feed price ratio (2.81) and return over feed cost (4.48) were found to be significantly higher (p<0.001) in semi-scavenging feeding system. The egg weight (p<0.01), breaking strength (p<0.01) and dry yolk weights (p<0.05) were significantly lower in the birds reared under scavenging feeding system, however, these traits were found statistically similar in the birds of intensive and semi-scavenging feeding system. Feeding systems had no impact on survivability of the experimental birds. Taking altogether, it could be concluded that IDC♂ × Fay♀ upgraded chicken under semi-scavenging system performed better than intensive and scavenging system under smallholder farm management.

Bangladesh Journal of Animal Science 53 (1): 13-22, 2024