DEVELOPMENT OF NATIVE CHICKEN BREED’S SURIN

Abstract

This research aimed to develop a Surin native chicken breed through crossbreeding between Surin native male chickens and Rhode Island Red female chickens. The objectives were to examine the physical characteristics, growth performance, and feed utilization efficiency of the offspring. The findings revealed that the first-generation hybrid chickens exhibited distinct physical traits. The majority showed yellow shanks, beaks, and feathers 81.11%, while pale yellow coloration was observed in 18.89%. Males had upright combs and long, pointed feathers, whereas females were characterized by shorter, stockier bodies, shorter feathers, and less prominent combs. Regarding growth performance, the average body weight increased consistently with age. From an average of 31.3 grams at birth, the weight rose to 1,103.46 grams at 10 weeks of age. The daily weight gain ranged from 8.11 to 7.18 grams during the first 2 weeks and increased to 16.42–15.29 grams during weeks 6 to 10, indicating good growth potential. In terms of feed efficiency, the average daily feed intake increased with age, from 23.79–21.32 grams/day during weeks 0–2, to 46.56–45.53 grams/day during weeks 6–10. The feed conversion ratio ranged from 1.34 to 2.60, which is considered economically viable for small-scale poultry farming. The mortality rate of the hybrid chickens was notably low, at only 1.11% throughout the rearing period, reflecting both genetic resilience and adaptability to local environmental conditions. In conclusion, the hybrid chickens derived from this study demonstrate strong potential as an alternative breed for farmers, offering both high productivity and environmental adaptability.