Performance of different multi-coloured broiler varieties in red lateritic agro-climatic region of West Bengal

Khan, M., Patra, G., Das, A., Anwar, S.M.S. and Haldar, A. 2024. Performance of different multi-coloured broiler varieties in red lateritic agro-climatic region of West Bengal. Indian Journal of Poultry Science, 59(3): 305–311. The aim of the study was to identify location-specific multi coloured broiler variety suitable to rear under small-scale farming situation in Birbhum district under red lateritic agro-climatic region of West Bengal. The current study was conducted to analyse the comparative performance of multi-colored broiler varieties namely Krishibro, CARIBRO -Dhanraja and Chabro under semi-intensive system of management in terms of growth, body weight gain, slaughter traits, proximate composition, physico-chemical and sensory attributes. The mean values for moisture, protein, fat and ash percentage ranged from 74.81-76.39%, 17.67-19.90%, 3.25-3.80% and 1.73-2.57% respectively. The sensory scores revealed that except for flavour, there were non-significant (p=0.05) differences in CARIBRO Dhanraja and Krishibro meat samples for the sensory attributes. The moisture %, pH and juiciness of all the three meat samples did not differ (p=0.05). The mean dressed weights ranged from 934.16 to 1256.00 g. The mean dressing % of the Chabro, Krishibro and CARIBRO Dhanraja birds ranged from 62.56 to76.80 % The mean pH values ranged from 5.59-5.85. The ranges of mean WHC (%) and cooking yield (%) were 59.37-64.83 % and 93.24-94.69 % respectively. CARIBRO Dhanraja variety was the best and had significantly higher (p=0.05) values among the test group of birds for live body weights at different rearing days, Benefit Cost (B/ C) ratio, carcass characteristics, proximate composition, physico-chemical qualities and sensory attributes of meat followed by Krishibro and Chabro varieties.