GENETIC ANALYSIS OF GROWTH TRAITS IN RAJASRI VARIETY OF BACKYARD CHICKEN

Data on 2, 758 Rajasri backyard chicken produced from 77 sires and 274 dams in 12 hatches were utilized. In general, highly significant influence of hatch and sex on body weights and average daily gains with sexual dimorphism favouring males was observed. The overall least squares mean body weights at birth, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 weeks of age were 31.74±0.08, 46.05±0.12, 69.24±0.25, 97.49±0.36, 135.35±0.47, 177.55±0.54, 234.44±0.67, 307.29±0.87, 409.87±0.97, 712.98±1.47, 1, 093.85±2.83, 1, 376.17±3.46 and 1, 638.75±3.64 g, respectively. The overall least squares mean average daily gains were 2.05±0.02, 3.31±0.03, 4.03±0.05, 5.42±0.06, 6.03±0.07, 8.13±0.09, 10.87±0.13, 14.65±0.16, 10.83±0.06, 13.60±0.11, 10.08±0.14 and 9.38±0.17g during 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8–12, 12–16, 16–20 and 20–24 weeks, respectively. Heritability estimates for body weights varied from very low to high and decreased in magnitude with age. Genetic and phenotypic correlations among body weights were significant.