“DESI POULTRY FARMING: TRADITIONAL WISDOM, MODERN SUCCESS”
Malarkannan, S.P., Assistant Professor, Arul Anandar College, Karumathur, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, Email: drspmalarkannan@gmail.com | Mobile: +91 9442355686
Introduction
In today’s fast-paced world, many are in pursuit of quick financial gains. However, income from animal husbandry, especially farming, tends to grow slowly, much like a tortoise’s pace, making it less attractive to the younger generation. Despite this, there remains a strong demand for traditionally raised country chicken, especially among non-vegetarians. In this context, introducing small, innovative practices in poultry farming can lead to better outcomes and increased profitability. A prime example is the integrated farm managed by Mr. K. Deivendiran, Managing Director of PRP Granites, located in Pudhuthamaraipatti Village, Madurai District. His farm exemplifies the “Maatri Yosi” (Think Differently) approach, serving as a model of success.
Rearing Method
During the first two months, young chicks, along with ducks, turkeys, and Guinea fowls, are kept in the farm’s sheds under protective care. They receive proper nutrition, vaccinations, and the necessary temperature for healthy growth. Interestingly, even the young of other birds are brooded and cared for by mother hens. After this initial protection phase, the birds are released into open areas where they can roam freely under the shade of trees, simulating their natural environment, all under the supervision of the mother hen.
Natural Incubation
In this farm, 50 to 60 hens are kept for natural incubation at a time. To maximize the space utilization, a battery-type system is used to incubate eggs under natural method. Although birds like ducks, turkeys, and Guinea fowls have low incubation capacities, their eggs are successfully incubated by desi hens. Eggs collected within 5 to 6 days hatch more effectively. No artificial incubators are used, and each hen incubates about 12 chicken eggs, 10 duck or turkey eggs, or 15 Guinea fowl eggs. The incubation period lasts 21 to 30 days, depending on the bird species. After hatching, the young are protected by the hens for about a week before being transferred to artificial heating, allowing the hens to resume egg laying sooner.
Inducing and Stopping Incubation
Hens do not always instinctively incubate eggs, but this behavior can be encouraged. By placing them in a traditional “Panjaram”—a pyramid-shaped structure made from bamboo sticks and covered with gunny bags to create a dark environment—the hen can be stimulated to stay for a day or two, developing the tendency to incubate. After this period, they are moved to the battery system, where they can incubate eggs more efficiently. To stop the brooding behavior once the eggs hatch, the hens are briefly immersed in water and allowed to fly, helping them transition back to laying eggs within ten days.
Responsibilities and Chick Management
The farm typically has 40 to 60 hens incubating eggs at any given time. Once the chicks hatch, they are grouped and assigned to a single healthy mother hen for better care. This transfer is done at night so the hen cannot differentiate between her own chicks and those from other hens. This strategy helps ensure that all the chicks receive equal protection and attention. By consolidating them under one hen, the farm optimizes chick management and ensures their well-being. The remaining hens are treated by traditional method to recover from brooding nature within one or two days and return to their normal behavior thereby efficient utilization of hens is possible.
Feeding Methods
For the first 30 days, chicks are given a high-protein diet, except turkeys, which are fed this diet for two months. After this period, they are fed locally available feed like cumbu, maize, broken rice, vegetable waste, and oil cakes. Fish waste from the market is ground and fed as puree to the chickens. During the summer, buttermilk is mixed with their feed to protect them from heat- related diseases. These feeding strategies help reduce costs and keep the birds healthy.
Vaccination Practices
Vaccination plays a crucial role in the farm’s disease prevention strategy. All young birds, except ducks, are vaccinated with Lasota drops through their eyes or nose between 7 and 21 days of age. At eight weeks, they receive the RDVK vaccine, followed by revaccination with Lasota every six months. Ducks, however, are vaccinated against duck plague annually. The farm also enforces strict biosecurity measures to prevent disease, ensuring that no outside birds come into contact with the farm’s flock.
Conclusion
Implementing simple yet strategic improvements in farm management, such as natural incubation, optimized feeding practices, and timely vaccination, can significantly enhance the profitability of desi poultry farming. These innovations not only boost farm income but also promote the overall health and well-being of the birds. Mr. Deivendiran’s farm exemplifies a “Think Differently” approach, offering a successful model that can inspire others in the poultry farming industry to adopt similar methods for sustainable growth.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
