Production, consumption status and economic efficiency of Dong Tao chicken production

This study was conducted to provide informations of the growth performance of Dong Tao chicken raising under household conditions in Dong Tao commune, Khoai Chau district, Hung Yen province. A total of 250 Dong Tao chickens were observed from 1 day old to 24 weeks old among 5 families with following traits: body weight, relative growth rate, average daily gain, survival rate, feed intake and feed conversion rate. Dong Tao is one of the native chicken breeds with a heavy weight. The body weights of the cock and hen were 2.6 kg and 2.2 kg respectively at 24 weeks old. The average daily gain increased gradually from the first weeks old, peaking and stability in the period to 10 weeks old (21.24g and 20.26g for cock and hen respectively) then it began to decline from the weeks old thereafter. Whereas the relative growth rate decreased gradually by weeks old. Feed conversion rate was 4,38kg based on the whole growth period. These results could be used to dertermine the characteristics of this purebred breed which would contribute to conserve and develop in a sustainable way.