A study was carried out to analyse the performance of frizzle and cross bred naked-neck frizzle chicken population under
various farm management systems. The results of the study revealed that the mean body weights of both sexes of both chicken
populations were not significantly different (P<0.05) in all management systems. The age at first laying was significantly early
(P>0.05) in frizzle (7.02±0.04months) and naked-neck frizzle (6.93±0.11 months) in extensive system. The mean monthly egg
production was significantly higher (P>0.05) for both genotypes under intensive system. The average egg weight (46-47g)
and hatchability (76-79%) were significantly higher (P>0.05) in the semi-intensive system. The productive period and life time
were significantly longer (P>0.05) under the extensive system for both populations. It was concluded that, both the populations
performed well in intensive and semi-intensive management systems with respect to different productive traits

Subalini, E

Thanuejah, S

English

IR South Eastern University of Sri Lanka

Sciences 
Proceedings, 04th International Symposium, SEUSL 
Page 424 
Comparison of Productive Performance of Frizzle and Cross-Bred Frizzle - Naked 
Neck Chicken Reared Under Different Farm Management Systems 
E.Subalini1 and S.Thanuejah2 
1Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture,  
Eastern University, Sri Lanka 
2Department of Agric Biology, Faculty of Agriculture,  
Eastern University, Sri Lanka 
subalinit23@yahoo.com 
Abstract 
A study was carried out to analyse the performance of frizzle and cross bred naked-neck frizzle chicken population under 
various farm management systems. The results of the study revealed that the mean body weights of both sexes of both chicken 
populations were not significantly different (P<0.05) in all management systems. The age at first laying was significantly early 
(P>0.05) in frizzle (7.02±0.04months) and naked-neck frizzle (6.93±0.11 months) in extensive system. The mean monthly egg 
production was significantly higher (P>0.05) for both genotypes under intensive system.  The average egg weight (46-47g) 
and hatchability (76-79%) were significantly higher (P>0.05) in the semi-intensive system. The productive period and life time 
were significantly longer (P>0.05) under the extensive system for both populations. It was concluded that, both the populations 
performed well in intensive and semi-intensive management systems with respect to different productive traits. 
Keywords: Frizzle, Naked-neck, Hatchability, Farm Management Systems, Animal Production 
Introduction  
In Sri Lanka, the poultry industry is characterized by free range scavenging system which is dominated by local chicken 
populations. The productivity levels of local chicken are low because of poor nutrition and low genetic potential. In an effort 
to address the low productivity in local chickens, high yielding exotic breeds have been introduced and grown in many 
in intensive production systems. High ambient temperature has a negative effect on the growth rate and production of 
commercial chickens due to the difficulty of dissipating metabolic heat, which leads to an increase in body temperature that 
can be lethal in extreme cases (Cowan and Michie, 1988).  
The reduction in feather coverage has proved to increase heat dissipation, allowing a greater rate of radiation of body heat and 
a better thermoregulation (Eberhart and Washburn, 1993). Some major genes have been described as affecting feather mass. 
The naked-neck gene (Na) reduces the number of feathers by limiting the feathered body surface in chicken and the frizzle 
gene (F) has a feather curling effect and causing feather mass reduction (Horst and Mathur, 1992). The breeding programme 
aimed at producing locally adaptable highly productive chicken population using the frizzle and naked-neck frizzle chicken is 
underway in some countries (Hagan, 2010). In Sri Lanka similar attempts can be made to improve the chicken using the 
specific genotypes such as frizzle and naked-neck frizzle to incorporate the adaptable traits to the exotics. Further, while 
planning a breeding programme to incorporate frizzle and naked-neck genes in a population, proper information about the 
productive and reproductive performance of frizzle and naked-neck frizzle is necessary. In this context, a study was planned 
with the objective to analyse the productive and reproductive performance of frizzle and naked-neck frizzle population under 
different management systems.   
Methodology 
The study was conducted at different locations in Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Ampara districts of Sri Lanka during the period 
from January, 2012 to January, 2013. A total of 150 poultry farms were randomly selected for this study. Equal numbers of 
extensive, semi intensive and intensively operated farms were considered in gathering data. From each farming system a total 
of 60 adult birds of each type were randomly selected to obtain data. The parameters measured were live weight of both 
cockerel and hen at 9 months age, age at first lay, monthly egg production, egg weight, and hatchability productive period and 
life time. The data were analyzed using Statistical Analysis Software (Version 9.1).  
  
Sciences 
Proceedings, 04th International Symposium, SEUSL 
Page 425 
Results and discussion 
Body weight  
According to the Table 1 the mean body weight of cockerels and hens of both population was not significantly differed 
(P<0.05) in all three management systems. In other Asian countries like Bangladesh and India these genetic groups of chicken 
in the existing scavenging operations had the lowest body weight (1.04 kg for hen and 1.52 kg for cockerel; Ahmed and 
Hasnath, 1983 and 1.01 kg for hen and 1.38 kg for cockerel; Kalita et al. 2009) than the value recorded in the present study 
under all management systems. 
Table 1: Mean body weight of frizzle and naked-neck frizzle chicken under different management systems (± Standard Error) 
Management system Mean body weight (kg) 
Frizzle  Naked-neck frizzle  
 Cockerel   Hen     Cockerel     Hen  
Extensive system 1.79±0.12a 1.09±0.12a   2.52±0.14a 1.78±0.14a 
Semi-intensive system 1.67±0.11a 1.14±0.23a      2.49±0.17a           1.76±0.11a 
Intensive system 1.78±0.44a 1.22±0.19a     2.51±0.18a            1.80±0.18a 
*Means with the same letters within the column are not significantly different. 
Age at first laying 
The average age at first laying was significantly later (P>0.05) for both populations under the intensive system while it was 
significantly earlier (P<0.05) under the extensive system for both genotypes (Table 2).   
Table 2: Average age at first laying in village and naked-neck chicken under different management systems (± Standard 
Error) 
Management system Average age at first laying (months) 
Frizzle  Naked-neck frizzle  
Extensive system 7.02±0.04a 6.93±0.11a 
Semi-intensive system 7.26±0.17b 7.09±0.14b 
Intensive system 8.98±0.14c 8.78±0.02c 
*Means with the same letters within the column are not significantly different. 
The exposure of birds at grower stage to sunlight stimulates the reproductive activity and starts egg production comparatively 
earlier under the extensive system. However, under the intensive system the degree of exposure to sunlight is very low as the 
houses are not constructed in a proper way to facilitate penetration of sunlight in the study areas.  
Monthly egg production 
According to Table 3 the mean monthly egg production was significantly higher (P>0.05) for both genotypes under intensive 
system than the other management systems. The higher egg production under intensive system may be attributable to 
availability of more feed, water and health facilities compared to other systems of management in the study area. Under the 
extensive system the birds are actively moving around the farm sheds as they need to search their feed. Therefore, the energy 
loss is high though the availability of diverse nutrition is high. 
Table 3: Average monthly egg production in frizzle and naked-neck frizzle chicken under different management systems (± 
Standard Error) 
Management system Average egg production (number) 
Frizzle  Naked-neck frizzle  
Extensive system 11.27±1.47a 13.24±1.99a 
Semi-intensive system 13.64±2.31b 15.52±0.99b 
Intensive system 14.90±2.11b 17.64±2.66c 
*Means with the same letters within the column are not significantly different. 
Egg weight 
Table 4: Average egg weight of frizzle and naked-neck frizzle chicken under different management systems (± Standard 
Error) 
Management system Average egg weight (g) 
Frizzle  Naked-neck frizzle  
Sciences 
Proceedings, 04th International Symposium, SEUSL 
Page 426 
Extensive system 41.23±0.45a 47.16±1.75a 
Semi-intensive system 46.44±1.09b 48.23±1.67a 
Intensive system 47.11±0.11b 48.64±1.43a 
*Means with the same letters within the column are not significantly different 
The average egg weight was significantly higher (P>0.05) in the semi-intensive and intensive systems for frizzle population 
while no significant difference (P<0.05) was observed in naked-neck frizzle population under three management systems 
(Table 4). In general the heat dissipation from the body is highly affected the productive performance of chicken. In frizzle 
population, under intensive system the energy expenditure to dissipate heat from the body is low.  
However, in naked-neck frizzle population the heat loss from the body can be through naked-neck and frizzled space of the 
body. This might be the reason for significantly similar performance of this population in three management systems.  
Hatchability  
Table 5: Average hatchability of eggs in of frizzle and naked-neck frizzle chicken under different management systems (± 
Standard Error) 
Management system Average hatchability (%) 
Frizzle  Naked-neck frizzle  
Extensive system 69.45±2.78a 74.12±3.56a 
Semi-intensive system 76.13±3.11b 79.14±3.12b 
Intensive system 72.23±2.76c 71.87±2.45c 
*Means with the same letters within the column are not significantly different 
Hatchability was significantly differed (P>0.05) among different management systems for both populations in all management 
systems (Table 5). The hatchability of eggs was significantly higher (P>0.05) under the semi-intensive system because the 
availability of diverse nutritious feed is higher than other systems and the birds are partially allowed for scavenging and 
supplemented with commercial feed and additives when housed in a day.  Similar to fertility the hatchability percent more than 
75 is acceptable to the point of fertility in all poultry production systems.  
Productive period 
The productive period was significantly longer (P>0.05) under the extensive system for both populations (Table 6). 
Significantly lower productive (P<0.05) period was observed in intensive management system for both populations. The 
limited movement under the intensive system can cause excess fat deposition on body which might shorten the productive 
period (Kalita, 2009).  Further, continuous exposure to sun light and diverse nutrition might extend the productive period of 
birds under extensive system. 
Table 6: Average productive period of frizzle and naked-neck frizzle chicken under different management systems (± 
Standard Error) 
Management system Average productive period (months) 
Frizzle  Naked-neck frizzle  
Extensive system 23.99±0.04a 26.11±1.01a 
Semi intensive system 21.11±0.56b 23.67±1.21b 
Intensive system 16.45±1.34c 21.77±1.45c 
*Means with the same letters within the column are not significantly different 
Life time 
The life time was significantly longer (P>0.05) under the extensive system in both chicken population while no significant 
difference was observed (P<0.05) between the frizzle and naked-neck frizzle population growing in intensive and extensive 
management systems (Table 7). This is because of the faster rate of disease spreading when birds are in the confinement. Further 
the birds under scavenging system might get natural body immunity when expose to adverse environmental conditions and 
diseases. This is agreed with the observation made in this study.  
Table 7: Average life time of frizzle and naked-neck frizzle chicken under different management systems (± Standard Error) 
Management system  Average life time (years) 
Frizzle  Naked-neck frizzle  
Sciences 
Proceedings, 04th International Symposium, SEUSL 
Page 427 
Extensive system 2.56±0.02a 2.23±0.01a 
Semi-intensive system 2.12±0.02b 1.97±0.02b 
Intensive system 2.09±0.02b 1.95±0.01b 
*Means with the same letters within the column are not significantly different 
Conclusion 
The frizzle and naked-neck frizzle population performed well in extensive system in terms of some productive traits such as 
age at first lay, productive and life time. These genetic groups performed well in semi-intensive management system in terms 
of hatchability and egg weight. Therefore, performance of frizzle and naked-neck frizzle population could be further improved 
under semi intensive and extensive system of management with improved management practices and breeding programs. 
 
 
References 
Bangladesh 
Veterinary Journal, vol. 17, pp 19-24. 
Poultry Science. vol. 19, pp. 601-605. 
-
Unpublished PhD thesis, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana. 
s Through Additive and Non-Additive Effects 
th  
Kalita, N, Gawande, SS & 
Indian Journal of Poultry Science, vol. 44 (2).  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Comparison of productive performance of frizzle and cross-bred frizzle - naked neck chicken reared under different farm management systems

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Comparison of productive performance of frizzle and cross-bred frizzle - naked neck chicken reared under different farm management systems

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