Comparative physical features, egg production and egg quality characteristics of normal and dwarf indigenous (Deshi) hens of Bangladesh

Abstract

The physical features, egg production and egg quality characteristics of normal and dwarf deshi hens were compared for a period of 36 weeks between 32 and 68 weeks of age. In a test cross one known normal RIR cock was mated to 7 dwarf deshi hens and 14 offsprings were produced to determine the nature of dwarf gene in deshi chicken population. Shank length, maximum wing feather length and body weight were higher in normal than in dwarf hens. The dwarf hens had significantly (P<0.01) higher hen day egg production, egg mass production and feed utilization than their normal sized counterparts. However, the dwarf hens gave lighter eggs and consumed significantly less feed than the normal sized hens, showing better efficiency of feed utilization. All the egg quality characteristics measured were similar in both genotypes, except fresh yolk weight, which was higher in eggs of dwarf hens than that of normal sized birds. The test cross results revealed that the dwarf gene in deshi chicken is autosomal recessive in nature. © GSP, India.