Comparative evaluation of post-peak production performance parameters and egg geometry of four varieties of aseels in three different production cycles after induced molting

The present study was conducted on productive performance and egg geometry of indigenous chickens to evaluate the post-peak performance three at different production cycles after induced molt with the objectives to pave the way for improvement in these varieties into sustainable income in favour of the small-scale urban, semi-urban and rural households in the study areas. A total of 96 birds from 4 varieties of Aseel ( Mushki, Lakha, Mianwali and Peshawari) X 3 production cycles (3^rd, 4^th and 5^th ) X 8 replicates (individual bird/ replicate) were evaluated during Post –peak phase after induced molting for production performance and egg geometry . The data thus collected were analyzed by ANOVA for a completely randomized design, using GLM procedure of SAS 9.1. Results of the present study revealed that significant difference (p<0.01), were found among the cycles (3^rd,4^th and 5^th) for weekly body weight , egg Production , FCR/dozen and FCR/kg mass ,feed Intake and total egg mass with highest values were observed in 3^rd production cycle also differed significantly between the 4^th and 5^th cycle except for body weight and egg weight which were found to be non-significant between 4^th and 5^th cycle .Non-significant difference were found in weekly body weight, egg production%, FCR, FCR/dozen eggs, FCR/egg mass and total egg mass, and significant for egg weight (p<0.01) and feed intake (p<0.05) among the varieties, highest egg weight were observed in Mushki variety and feed intake in Lakha variety, also differed significantly among Lakha, Peshawari, Mianwali for both egg weight feed intake. Egg geometry parameters (surface area, shape index and egg volume) were found non-significant for both varieties and cycles.

Keywords: - Post-peak, molting, varieties, cycles.