Infradian rhythmicity in egg production features in relation to antioxidant profiles of Rhode Island Red (RIR) birds reared at backyard in different agroclimatic zones of West Bengal during summer stress

Abstract

Egg production features viz. weekly hen day and egg weight together with some stress markers were studied in RIR birds reared under backyard in different agroclimatic zones of West Bengal. Overall, weekly hen day average and egg weight in summer was 3.39 ± 0.09 and 45.13 ± 0.24 g, respectively. But the pattern of egg production in various zones is not same, as significant egg production difference (P ≤ 0.01) among zones was noticed in summer, from 26th to 37th week. There was significant (P ≤ 0.01) correlation between weekly hen day average and egg weight on 26th, 35th and 37th week (P ≤ 0.05). The observed overall level of antioxidant enzymes viz. SOD (U/g of Hb), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (μmol/L), TAS (mmol/L) and LDH (IU/L) were 0.56 ± 0.61, 565.15 ± 0.61, 1.43 ± 0.61 and 203.05 ± 0.61, respectively, irrespective of zones. It was observed that mean concentration of SOD, GHS-Px, TAS and LDH of RIR birds reared at backyard have positive association with weekly hen day average and average egg weight throughout summer stress. The current findings showed that RIR birds reared at backyard had better adaptation ability to summer stress in different agroclimatic zones of West Bengal.

Keywords:

• RIR
• egg production
• summer stress
• antioxidant enzymes
• backyard poultry

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Vice Chancellor, WBUAFS and three tier panchayet system for all sorts of logistic support to complete the study. Authors are also thankful to the farmers who actively participated in the study.