Performance of Vanaraja, Kashmir Commercial Layer and Local Birds Fed on Kitchen Waste Under Cold Arid Condition of Ladakh

30 days old Vanaraja, Kashmir Commercial Layer (KCL) and local chicks were distributed among 16 farmers (5 chicks per family) in and around Kargil district (Ladakh) to observe their performance under backyard farming system and solely fed on kitchen waste. At 540 days, Vanaraja birds gained highest (P<0.01) body weight (3.82 kg) than KCL (1.51 kg) and local birds (1.35 kg). Egg production (upto 77 wks) was highest in KCL birds (174), than in Vanaraja (156) and local birds (82) and the profit was Rs.719, 520 and 289 in Vanaraja, KCL and local birds, respectively. Difference in egg weight, shell weight and shell thickness among the groups was not significant. Slaughter traits i.e. dressing percent and organ weights were also similar among the groups. It was concluded that Vanaraja birds may be adopted for egg and meat production under backyard farming in the region to take the maximum profit as no mortality recorded among the groups.