Performance of CARI Nirbheek in agroclimatic conditions of Tripura.

Fertile eggs (1151) of CARI Nirbheek were procured from CARI, Izatnagar and 632 chicks were hatched out. The chicks were brooded on deep litter and at 8 weeks of age, 50% of all the survived chicks were distributed to the farmers of Sambhurampara village of West Tripura district for rearing in backyard system. The growth and production performance of CARI Nirbheek was studied at both the locations, viz. farm and field conditions. The mean body weights at 20 weeks of age were: 1.801±0.019, 1.414±0.017 and 1.577±0.017 kg, respectively, for males, females and overall mean at the farm and the corresponding body weights under field condition were: 1.642±0.061, 1.346±0.029 and 1.482±0.04 kg, respectively. The difference in mean body weights at farm and field conditions were nonsignificant except body weight at 20 weeks of age. The cumulative feed consumption up to 6 weeks of age was 0.981 kg at the Institute farm. The feed consumption per day between 19–20 and 39–40 weeks of age were 99.0 and 160.22±0.68 g/bird, respectively. The age at sexual maturity was 187.16±0.35 and 198.04±1.70 days, respectively, at farm and under field conditions. The egg production up to 40 weeks of age was 37.32 and 26.31 eggs, respectively, at farm and field conditions and average egg production up to 72 weeks of age were 161.53 eggs at the farm. The egg quality traits viz. egg width, egg length, shape index, albumin weight, percent thick albumin, total albumin weight, percent albumin ratio, albumin index, yolk weight, percent yolk ratio, yolk index, shell thickness and Haugh unit of CARI Nirbheek were studied at 40 weeks of age at the farm. The value for different egg quality traits and Haugh Unit indicated better quality of the eggs of CARI Nirbheek.