BACKYARD POULTRY FARMING IN INDIA

BACKYARD POULTRY FARMING IN INDIA

Dr Annarao¹, Dr Indrale Utpala² and Dr Trupti Suryakant Kattimani³

1. Senior Veterinary Officer, Mobile & Extension Tq: Sedam Dist: Kalaburagi
2. Senior Veterinary Officer, VD Mangalagi Tq: Kalagi Dist: Kalaburagi
3.  Veterinary Officer, VD SalgarBasantpur Tq: Chincholi Dist: Kalaburagi

Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services,

                                      Karnataka State, India 

 Backyard poultry defined as rearing of poultry birds in the back yard of house allowed freely for food during day time and housed at night. Because of the taste and nutritional value demand for backyard poultry eggs and chicken is continuous, so day by day there is more demand for desi poultry eggs and chicken.  Backyard poultry is the key for livelihood in the rural part of India. The increasing demand made huge scope in the backyard poultry farming in India. Backyard poultry farming helps to efficient utilization of family man power, family unused feed resources into poultry eggs and chicken. The eggs and meat obtained from backyard poultry is more nutritious due to its production in stress free environment. It will be regular income-generating hobby with very low investment and expenses. Backyard poultry helps in fight against the malnutrition in rural part of the country and provides high biological valued protein in very low cost/investment.

Advantages of backyard poultry farming

Birds are easy to rear, the initial investment will be much less, initial aim is to produce for family later for others, not needs an initial very high investment. Family will get fresh eggs and chicken. No more labor burden, family members will take care of birds and chicks. Birds will keep your yard clean. They are excellent fertilizer producers. They are the best pets for the children. They will generate alternate income for the family. Birds will get enough exposure on sunlight and better bone development. The backyard reared birds are sturdy and well-adoptable to local climatic conditions.

Challenges in Backyard Poultry Farming

Poor productivity, Predators, Malnutrition, disease outbreaks, and parasitic infestation are the major challenges in backyard poultry farming.

1. Poor production: Indigenous poultry birds are poor feed converters into eggs and meat. They are slow growers. Due to inbreeding practices, even chick mortality is also high. By the introduction of superior germplasm by practicing the crossing of desi birds with high-performing breed birds like Aseel, Kadaknath, GiriRaja, and CARI-developed breeds. This practice will enhance the production of eggs, and meat, and improve feed conversion ratio and growth in F1 generation. Improved breeding practices will reduce chick mortality.
2. Predators: Cat, dog, snakes, and theft by the neighbors are major predators for backyard poultry. Fencing across the border of the house, avoiding the entry of other animals in the backyard, electric fencing, CC TV camera usage will reduce the incidence of predators in the backyard. Maintaining of cleanliness in the farm proper waste product disposal should be followed regularly. Regular monitoring of birds and proper protection measures will help in the reduction of prey attacks on birds.
3. Malnutrition: Vitamins and minerals play an important role in poultry nutrition. Balanced feed and feed supplements are important in poultry for optimum production. Regular supplementation of minerals and vitamins will help optimum growth and production. Malnutrition is also a reason for chick mortality. Malnutrition is also a reason for Cannibalism in poultry.
4. Disease outbreaks: In backyard poultry, there will be more chances of fast spreading of diseases due to open areas with chances of contamination from all sides. Due to being close to nature and poultry birds may come in contact with wild birds and other pet animals or birds may act as potential sources of infection and it will spread very fast leading to very high morbidity and mortality. Following strict biosecurity measures, regular vaccination of birds, proper sanitation and hygiene practices in the farm are the key to success in the control of disease outbreak in backyard poultry in rural India.
5. Parasitic infestation: Backyard poultry is more prone for parasitic infestation due to poor sanitation and hygienic practices. Contaminated feed and water are the potential sources of parasitic infestation. Strict bio-security practices, regular deworming, feeding of coccidiostat agents, regular health checkups, stamping out of ill or sick birds, and faecal examinations are key to success in the control of parasitic infestation in poultry. External parasitic infestation controlled by regular cleaning and application of anti-parasitic drugs to poultry housing and beddings will reduce the infestation.

Innovative Technology & Practices in Back yard poultry farming in India

Implementation of automation for feeding and watering to poultry, regular health checkups, nutritional supplementation, creating stress-free environment, automatic vaccinators, improved feeds, genetically modified chicks, smart sensors, robotic automation, artificial intelligence, bio-security, sustainable practices, usage of probiotics and symbiotics, are used for the better production in the poultry due to incase in demand for the eggs and meat production proportional to increase in the human population. Motivation, identification and training to rural youth and women will support the implementation of innovative technology and practices under the field condition and to reach the technology to rural Bharath.

References

1. Innovations in Poultry Farming: Technology & Automation.www.Agrifarming.in
2. A guide to Backyard Poultry Farming for Sustainable Livelihoods-IDC: idcicrisat.org

Innovative technology and practices transforming India’s poultry farming sectors

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