Performance of Kamrupa Chickens in the Field and Farm: A Comparative Study
Mihir Sarma
AICRP on Poultry Breeding, College of Veterinary Science, Assam, Veterinary and Fishery University, Khanapara, India.
Ankurjyoti Talukdar *
AICRP on Poultry Breeding, College of Veterinary Science, Assam, Veterinary and Fishery University, Khanapara, India.
Dimpi Choudhury
Zonal Livestock Research Station, Assam Veterinary and Fishery University, Mandira, Assam, India.
Leema Bora
Directorate of Extension Education, Assam Veterinary and Fishery University, Guwahati, Assam, India.
Rafiqul Islam
Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Veterinary and Fishery University, Guwahati, Assam, India.
Janmoni Shyam
Department of Extension Education, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Veterinary and Fishery University, Guwahati, Assam, India.
Sadananda Payeng
Department of Extension Education, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Veterinary and Fishery University, Guwahati, Assam, India.
Arundhati Phukan
Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Veterinary and Fishery University, Guwahati, Assam, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Rural poultry production constitutes an integral component of livelihood security, nutritional supplementation, and income generation in developing countries. However, the productive performance of rural poultry is markedly influenced by the rearing environment, often differing between controlled farm conditions and farmer-managed field systems. In this context, the present study aims to evaluate and compare the growth performance, morphometric (conformation) traits, age at sexual maturity, egg weight, and egg production of Kamrupa chickens reared under farm and field management systems, with the objective of assessing their production potential and adaptability under practical rearing conditions.
The experiment was conducted under field and farm rearing systems during 2024–25. Body weights, feed conversion ratio (FCR), conformation traits and egg production parameters were recorded up to 72 weeks of age. Farm reared birds exhibited significantly higher body weights at all stages, earlier sexual maturity, heavier egg weights and superior egg production compared to field-reared birds. At 40 weeks of age, farm males and females weighed 2502.56 g and 1957.92 g respectively, compared to 2122.63 g and 1782.17 g in field conditions. Age at sexual maturity was reduced by 21 days in farm birds. Egg production up to 72 weeks was 156.21 (hen housed) in farm conditions versus 124.94 in field conditions. The study confirms that improved management and controlled feeding in farm systems substantially enhance the productive performance of Kamrupa chickens.
Keywords: Kamrupa, egg production, sexual maturity, morphometric, traits