Krishibro
Krishibro (also known as DPR Krishibro or Krishibro Coloured Broiler) is a multi-colored commercial broiler genotype developed by ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research (DPR), Hyderabad, in the 1990s. It was developed to support poultry farming in rural, backyard, and semi-intensive systems in India. The parental lines — PB-1 (synthetic colored broiler male line) and PB-2 (maternal female line) — have undergone continuous selection over 29 generations.
Practical Overview & Field Action
Field Verification Checkpoints
- FCR Benchmarks: 1.90–2.10 at 6 weeks (technical specifications); 2.12–2.25 at 6–7 weeks (research trial averages)
Breed Characteristics
Economic Importance
Krishibro is highly profitable for smallholders and rural communities, delivering reliable growth and production under low-input management. Its multi-colored plumage fetches premium prices in local live-bird markets. The parental lines have undergone continuous selection over 29 generations, resulting in improved juvenile body weight and reproduction performance.
Overview
Krishibro (also known as DPR Krishibro or Krishibro Coloured Broiler) is a multi-colored commercial broiler genotype developed by ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research (DPR), Hyderabad, in the 1990s. It was designed for rural, backyard, and semi-intensive poultry farming in India. Registered parent lines: PB-1 (synthetic colored broiler male line) and PB-2 (maternal female line).
Origin
Developed by ICAR-DPR, Hyderabad. The parental lines PB-1 and PB-2 have undergone continuous selection over 29 generations, resulting in improved juvenile body weight and reproduction performance.
Production Performance
| Performance Parameter | Technical Specifications | Research Trial Averages |
|---|---|---|
| Market Age | 6–7 weeks | 6 weeks |
| Weight at 5 Weeks | 1.100–1.200 kg | 0.874–0.950 kg |
| Weight at 6 Weeks | 1.500–1.700 kg | 1.105–1.180 kg |
| Weight at 7 Weeks | — | 1.580–2.120 kg |
| FCR (Grow-out at 6 weeks) | 1.90–2.10 | 2.12–2.25 (at 6–7 weeks) |
| Livability Percentage | ≥97.0% | 95.5%–97.0% |
| Dressing Yield | 68.0%–70.0% | 66.5%–68.5% |
Key Characteristics
- Feather Color: Multi-colored (attractive) — camouflage against predators in free-range systems
- Growth Rate: Slow — slower than specialized commercial broilers
- Uniformity: Phenotypic variation in color and size
- Heat Tolerance: High — excellent disease resistance and climate adaptability
- Leg Strength: Good — robust metabolic profile
Management Requirements
- Housing: Traditional open-sided and backyard systems; semi-intensive systems
- Brooding Temperature: 33°C on day one, reducing weekly
- Stocking Density: 1.2–1.3 sq. ft. per bird in semi-intensive systems
- Feed Program: In free-range systems, birds forage supplemented with local grains
Health Considerations
- Excellent disease resistance and climate adaptability under variable field conditions
- Good leg strength with robust metabolic profile
- Newcastle Disease and Fowl Pox vaccinations highly recommended to prevent outbreaks
Economic Importance
Highly profitable for smallholders and rural communities. Multi-colored plumage fetches premium prices in local live-bird markets. Reliable growth and production under low-input management ensures consistent returns.
Advantages
- Premium prices in local markets due to attractive multi-colored plumage
- Excellent adaptability to varied housing and management systems
- High physical robustness and disease resistance
- Developed specifically for Indian climate and disease conditions
Limitations
- Slower growth rate and higher FCR compared to specialized commercial broilers in intensive systems
- Phenotypic variation in color and size may not align with industrial processing demands
Best Suitable Farming Systems
- Traditional open-sided and backyard systems
- Semi-intensive farming
- Small-to-medium-scale operations in India's local live-bird markets
References
- ICAR-DPR Annual Report 2018-19 — ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research, 2019, ICAR-DPR Library
- Juvenile body weights and conformational traits in PB-1 synthetic broiler line — Haryana Veterinarian Journal, 2022, LUVAS Portal
Review official commercial growth, feed intake, and FCR efficiency trajectories for Cobb 500, Ross 308, and VenCobb 430 with governed biophysical comparability.
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