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Broiler chicken

Broilers are fast-growing meat-purpose chicken strains bred to reach market weight in five to six weeks on a high-energy ration. Three commercial strains dominate Indian broiler production: Cobb 500 and Ross 308, both supplied as imported grandparent stock, and Vencobb, the Venky's-licensed cross derived from Cobb genetics and adapted for Indian conditions.

Key characteristics

  • Market weight: 2.2-2.5 kg in 35-42 days under good management.
  • Feed conversion ratio: 1.5-1.7 for Cobb 500 at 35 days; approximately 1.7-1.8 for Ross 308 at the same age, with high-efficiency commercial flocks of Ross 308 averaging as low as 1.371 (Feed Conversion Ratio).
  • Plumage: white, dense, fast-feathering.
  • Body type: broad-breasted with heavy thigh and breast muscling.

Husbandry

Broiler production in India is overwhelmingly run as an all-in / all-out cycle in open-sided sheds (Open Poultry Shed) with deep litter (Deep Litter System). Day-old chicks are placed under brooders (Brooding Chicks) at 32-35 degC and stepped down weekly. Birds are fed a three-phase ration of starter, grower and finisher diets (Starter Grower Finisher Feed), either commercial pellets or on-farm self-mixed feed (Self Mixed Poultry Feed). Vencobb 400Y is positioned by Venky's specifically for tropical open-sided housing, with feed and management curves tuned for Indian summer temperatures.

Health profile

The fast growth that defines broilers brings susceptibility to leg disorders, ascites and sudden death syndrome. Newcastle disease (Ranikhet Newcastle Disease) and infectious bursal disease are managed by routine vaccination. Inter-batch shed sanitation (Biosecurity Cleaning Between Batches) is essential to control coccidiosis and bacterial enteritis.

Adoption and use

Most Indian broiler production is integrated: companies supply chicks, feed and medicines to grow-out farmers and lift birds at market weight under a contract grow-out model (Contract Broiler Farming). Standalone broiler farms are smaller and more vulnerable to feed-price swings and disease losses (Poultry Mortality Management). Dressed broiler chicken is the dominant fresh poultry meat in urban India.

See also: Layer Chicken Bv 380, Country Chicken Nattu Kodi, Sonali Breed, Kadaknath.

References

  1. Cobb500 Broiler Performance and Nutrition Supplement. Cobb-Vantress.
  2. Vencobb 400Y. Venky's India.