Comparative Study of Growth Performance of Deshi, Fayoumi, Rir and Sonali Chicken Reared Under Farm and Semi Scavenging Condition

The objectives of the study to compare the growth performance of Deshi, Fayoumi, RIR and Sonali chicken reared under farm and semi scavenging. A total of 288 day-old chicks (72 from Deshi, 72 Fayoumi, 72 RIR and 72 Sonali) were used in this trial for a period of 20 weeks of age with 4 genotypes. 144 chicks were reared under farm condition and another144 chicks were under semi scavenging system. In farm, birds were fed ad libitum a commercial starter and grower feed. In semi scavenging at first 5 weeks, each chick was fed 10g balanced feed and maximum supplement was 50g up to the end of the experiment. This study revealed that day-old chick weight was the highest in RIR, intermediate and similar in Sonali and Fayoumi and the lowest in Deshi (P<0.01). Day-old chick weight did not differ between farm and semi scavenging (P>0.05). The highest live weight was found in RIR followed by Sonali, Fayoumi and Deshi at 20 weeks of age. All genotypes were heavier in farm than in those reared in semi scavenging except Deshi. Live weight gained at 20 weeks of age was the highest in RIR followed by Sonali, Fayoumi and Deshi (P<0.01). Deshi chicken was heavier in semi scavenging in comparison with in farm condition. Similar and higher survival rate was found in Sonali, Fayoumi and RIR and lower in Deshi (P<0.01). In farm condition, survivability was higher than in semi scavenging. Farm reared Deshi chicken tended to minimize survivability than those reared in semi scavenging. Feed intake was similar and higher in RIR and Sonali, intermediate in Fayoumi and the lowest in Deshi (P<0.01). Superior feed conversion was found in RIR followed by Sonali, Fayoumi and Deshi. Feed conversion was higher in semi scavenging than that in farm (P<0.01). From the study it is concluded that growth rate, survivability, feed intake and feed conversion ratio appeared to be the best in RIR, Sonali in intermediate and Fayoumi and Deshi are the worst in growth performance. Farm reared chicken had better potential than those in semi scavenging chicken. Deshi chicken had little difference in growth performance in two rearing systems.