Comparative Evaluation of Growth Performance and Feed Efficiency of Four Varieties of Aseel Chicken Reared Under Farm Conditions

Abstract

This study evaluated the comparative growth performance and feed efficiency of four varieties of Aseel chicken maintained under farm conditions. A total of 96-day-old chicks comprising 24 chicks from each variety, including Java, Mianwali, Sindhi, and Motled, were reared at a private poultry farm located in the district of Tando Allahyar, Sindh, Pakistan. All birds were maintained under similar environmental and management conditions up to 12 weeks of age. Feed and fresh drinking water were provided ad libitum according to NRC recommendations. Weekly body weight gain, fold increase in body weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded throughout the study. The collected data were analyzed through analysis of variance (ANOVA), and means were compared using Duncan’s Multiple Range test. The results revealed significant differences (P<0.05) among the four Aseel varieties for body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, fold increase in body weight, and FCR during the experimental period.