I C A R - D P R

Directorate of Poultry Research (DPR) has evolved Srinidhi,  a new promising  dual purpose variety  for rural poultry production. Srinidhi has optimum body weight and better egg production. It has been selected from the six test crosses developed at PDP.  It was evaluated twice for full length of production cycle of 72 weeks at the institute farm. Its juvenile body weight at 6 weeks of age was 650 g and males weighed 2353 g at 15 weeks of age. The age at sexual maturity was 161 days. The egg production upto 40 weeks of age was 90 eggs and the annual egg production was 228 eggs under intensive system of rearing. The survivability was more than 95%. Subsequently, the variety was evaluated under field conditions in Tripura, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh. In the backyards, the juvenile body weight at 6 weeks of age was 500-550 g, the age at sexual maturity was 170-175 days. The egg production upto 40 weeks of age was 55-60 eggs and the bird has potential to lay 140-150 eggs per year under backyard. This variety was unveiled by Prof. K.M.L. Pathak, Deputy Director General (Animal Science) on 2^nd March 2013 on the occasion of Silver Jubilee celebrations of Project Directorate on Poultry.