LOW INPUT TECHNOLOGY POULTRY BIRDS OR INDIGENOUS CHICKEN AS STARTUP IN INDIA

 

LOW INPUT TECHNOLOGY POULTRY BIRDS OR INDIGENOUS CHICKEN AS STARTUP IN INDIA: A COMMERCIAL APPROACH

Rearing poultry birds is age old practice in rural India and is being followed till today. The per capita availability of Eggs and chicken in urban areas ranged between 80-120 eggs and 2.25 -3.5 kgs respectively against 5-20 eggs and 750 gms of meat in rural areas. Further these poultry products are expensive in rural areas due to non availability. Most of the Rural families in India consume rice/Chapati  as their staple diet which is rich in energy but low in protein .Due to protein deficiency in rural areas the people particularly pregnant women , nursing mothers and growing children are becoming vulnerable to many common diseases Egg is considered as one complete food with high protein . It is also a non adulterated food item. Poultry meat is highly nutritious and has high social acceptance. Backyard rearing practice of L.I.T. poultry does not involve any input expenses as the birds are disease resistant and can feed on kitchen waste and has very good scavenging characters. Government of India has emphasized to popularize this birds and identified and approved various Low input Technology birds for disseminating it to rural population. Rural population has a great affinity for birds with colored plumage as it camouflage in the surrounding. There is high demand of poultry eggs and meat in Indian population and this huge demand of Poultry is met by bringing it from neighboring states. It is the need of the hour that the local poultry activities be popularize among the rural Indian  as there is enough backyard area available at village level.

Rural population living in India constitutes 72.2 per cent of the total population, which is predominantly occupied by poor, marginal farmers and landless labourers. Backyard poultry production is an old age profession of rural families of India. It is the most potent source for subsidiary incomes for landless and poor farmers. It is an enterprise with low initial investment but higher economic returns and can easily be managed by women, children and old aged persons of the households.

Poultry meat and eggs are now the greatest and cheapest sources of protein and energy for rural India’s per capita needs.

Though India has seen great expansion in chicken production over the years, rural poultry farming continues to lag behind and is sometimes overlooked. Because it is the most cost-effective way for small-scale farmers to supplement their income with minimal input, this farming system requires progression with recent advances in research in the fields of chick rearing, balanced feeding, disease management, and efficient egg and meat marketing systems.

Now-a-days, the backyard poultry can easily start with good egg-laying birds of RIR (Rhode Island Red), Chabro, Punjab Red and Partapdhan breeds.

Backyard poultry production system is a low input business and is characterized by indigenous night shelter system, scavenging system, natural hatching of chicks, poor productivity of birds, with little supplementary feeding, local marketing and no health care practice. Poultry development plays a crucial role in increasing egg and chicken meat production.

Indian demand for poultry products will be enhanced at 4.8 percent whereas the supply of poultry products will grow at 5.2 per cent per year over the decade which is faster than for any other type of animal product.

The production of agricultural crops has been rising at a rate of 1.5–2 per cent per annum, whereas eggs and broilers have been shown to rise at a rate of 8-10 per cent per annum but the growth has been mainly restricted to commercial poultry.

 In India, growth in the livestock sector can definitely contribute to poverty reduction, because of the peoples lived in rural areas depends on livestock for their daily livelihoods. It has also been observed that the demand for the animal protein source is increasing rapidly in developing countries.

Raising of local poultry breeds in backyard is an important source of livelihood for the rural people. Smallholdings containing 2-3 hens per unit were found to be more efficient producer of eggs compared to those with 5 or more hens per unit. Main interest of the poultry farmers having backyard poultry is not production of eggs as returns are very low from sale of eggs. They hatch all their eggs and sell them as birds because of the broodiness habit of these breeds.

 

Poultry keeping in backyard gives very high return as the investment is very low. The local breeds of poultry / indigenous poultry genetic resources are held in high esteem even after 50 years of industrial poultry production because of the following reasons. a) Local poultry breeds exhibit superior adaptability in their habitat and possess the ability to survive, produce and reproduce on lob) The inputs required are very small as they scavenge their feed requirements and are raised with little veterinary care. c) They possess the ability to protect themselves from predators. d) All the local breeds show broodiness and hatch their own chicks making the system autogenerating. e) People have a preference for eggs and meat of indigenous poultry compared to those realized from farm-bred chickens consequently eggs and meat from local breeds are sold at a premium price. f) Cock fighting is a popular sport for the ethnic tribes and the local breeds are superior to exotic breeds in fighting. g) Use of coloured bird for socio-religious use. Livestock output at present accounts for more than half of agricultural production in developed countries and one-third in developing countries. The growing number of urban and more affluent population in the developing world including India, most likely will demand a richer, more diverse diet with more of meat and milk products. As a result, global demand will increase from 209 million tones in 1997 to 327 million tones in 2020 for meat to a strong livestock revolution. Industrial poultry production could be fastest growing sector with an expected increase in output of about 80 per cent until 2020 due to its high rate of reproduction, superior FCR and universal production technology. The other Livestock commodities are expected to grow @ 50 percent per year during the same period. Other factors which will contribute to growth of poultry industry in India subcontinent include; increase in growth of human population;w plane of nutrition and sub-optimal management.

geographical shifting of production centers to developing countries like China, India, Brazil and Mexico due to stringent animal welfare measures adopted in the industrial west; improvement in poultry production technologies; policies and initiatives recently undertaken by the Government of India to promote rural backyard poultry production through venture capital fund etc. The demand for organic egg and meat is increasing over the years especially in the industrially developed Western countries even though they cost more and cut through the wallet. Small holder backyard poultry production utilizing local breeds therefore is expected to increase the profitability of this system of production, but the super markets will benefit. Smallholder backyard poultry production utilizing local breeds sooner or later is expected to come under serious competition with the commercial poultry sector and if not well planned the genetic resources of local poultry shall be lost, as it has already happened in most of the developed countries. Conservation of local poultry breeds along with improvement for traits like meat and eggs will increase competitiveness to survive in the market. The socio-religious use of local poultry breeds, superior adaptability in their habitat, ability to perform in tow input production system and the production system which is similar to organic production will he the competitive advantages of backyard system over commercial poultry production. The government, however, should extend all support to this system of production since this is a means of livelihood of poorer sections of the society and will help in food production, food security, gender equity and providing employment to women. Improvement of local breeds and their conservation for future use also should be the joint responsibility of the Government and farming community.

 

Advantages of backyard poultry farming 

There are many advantages of rural poultry farming system which are given as follows:

• Gives employment to the rural small scale and marginal farmers.
• Provides additional income to the rural communities.
• Aids in enhancing the soil fertility in backyards (15 chickens produce 1-1.2 kg of manure/day).
• Products from rural poultry farming fetches high price compared to those from intensive poultry farming. Almost double the rates of brown shelled eggs in the local market.
• Provides egg and meat with almost no or very less investment through backyard poultry farming in free range system.
• Birds reared under free range conditions give eggs and meat of low cholesterol concentration compared to those produced under intensive poultry farming.
• Lessens protein malnutrition in susceptible groups like pregnant women, feeding mothers and children.

 

Poultry Farming: Which is More Profitable Layer or Broiler

Poultry farming is a super profitable business. Chickens reared for the purpose of producing eggs are called laying hens, while…

Floor space: The chick should be provided sufficient feed and floor space. Overcrowding results in stress and mortality chick requires 8 square inches of feeding space. During the 6^th week, 1 sq. ft. floor space per chick must be provided to avoid overcrowding.

Space requirement for poultry 

Age  (Weeks)	Floor space  (sq. ft)	Feeding space  (cm)	Watering space (cm)
0-4	0.5	2.5	1.5
4-8	1.0	5.0	2.0
8-12	2.0	6.5	2.5

Ventilation: The supply of fresh air to the chicks is highly essential. Brooding will cause depletion of oxygen and build-up of carbon dioxide, ammonia, etc., the airtight curtains should be avoided. It is recommended to keep a gap of 3.5 inches between the ceiling and side curtains to facilitate gas exchange between the house and the environment. In extreme weather conditions, windows, doors, and fans need to be effectively used to maintain optimum ventilation.

Beak trimming: Trimming of beaks is an important managemental practice. This is done to prevent cannibalism and wastage of feed. Beak trimming is a sensitive operation and it should be done by trained people. The beak trimming is done at 3^rd week and one-third of the upper beak should be trimmed.

Litter management: Litter management plays a vital role in controlling the disease in the flock. When birds are housed on deep litter, placing of waters and their maintenance should receive due attention to keep the litter dry. The litter should be stirred at regular intervals depending on the environmental temperature, humidity, ventilation fecal moisture content, quality of the water system.

Health issues: Rural chicks need brooding care during the initial 6 weeks of age. After 6 weeks, they can be let free for scavenging in the backyard. The excess males can be reared separately and marketed for meat purposes. The night shelter should have good ventilation and protection from predators and plenty of clean water should be made available. The birds must be vaccinated against Marek’s and Ranikhet diseases. There should be periodic deworming at 3-4 months intervals.

Importance of local breeds in backyard poultry farming system

Smallholder backyard poultry production utilizing local breeds is expected to come under serious competition with the commercial poultry sector and if not well planned the genetic resources of local poultry shall be lost. Conservation of local poultry breeds along with improvement for traits like meat and eggs will increase competitiveness to survive in the market.

The socio-religious use of local poultry breeds, superior adaptability in their habitat, ability to perform in low input production system, and the production system which is similar to organic production will be the competitive advantages of backyard system over commercial poultry production.

Poultry keeping in the backyard gives a very high return as the investment is very low. The local breeds of poultry/indigenous poultry genetic resources are held in high esteem even after 50 years of industrial poultry production because of the following reasons:-

• Local poultry breeds exhibit superior adaptability in their habitat and possess the ability to survive, produce and reproduce on a low plane of nutrition and sub-optimal management.
• The inputs required are very small, as they scavenge their feed requirements and are raised with little veterinary care.
• They possess the ability to protect themselves from predators.
• All the local breeds show broodiness and hatch their own chicks making the system auto-generating.
• People have a preference for eggs and meat of indigenous poultry compared to those realized from farm-bred chickens consequently eggs and meat from local breeds are sold at a premium price.
• Cockfighting is a popular sport for the ethnic tribes and the local breeds are superior to exotic breeds infighting.
• Use of colored birds for socio-religious use.

Management of backyard poultry birds 

Feeding: Feed costs are thought to be low in home chicken production. The birds get the necessary protein, energy, minerals, and vitamins, among other things. Snails, termites, leftover grains, crop leftovers, and domestic garbage are just a few examples. The chicks can also be fed broken groundnut straw and wheat grains as a supplement to their diet. For optimum performance, the chicks may be given an extra concentrate ration of 30-60 gm/day/chick.

The chicks need balanced feed during the initial 6 weeks of age under brooder by providing balanced chick feed during the early period of growth. The average body weight of 1.5 to 2.0 kg will be attained up to 5 weeks and if required should be provided with supplemental calcium sources like limestone powder, dicalcium phosphate (DCP), stone grit, shell grit at 4 to 5 grams/bird/day.

Ingredients for a balanced ration 

Ingredient	0-8 week old birds	9-20 week old  birds	More than 20 week old birds
Maize	52	45	46
Soybean	18	–	15
Groundnut oil	13	13	8
Rice polish	–	35	–
Deoiled rice polish	15	–	22
Fish meal	–	06	–
Limestone	–	–	7
Dicalcium phosphate	2	01	02
Salt (g)	200	–	300
Vitamins (A,B,D,K) g	15	15	15
B complex	20	20	20
Vitamin B12	15	–	–
Trace minerals (g)	50	50	50
Coccidiostat	+	–	–

 

Points kept in mind for backyard poultry farming

• Trainings: Poultry farmers must approach to Krishi Vigyan Kendra’s to obtain the basic training on backyard poultry farming. This is very useful for rearing of chicks, feeding, housing and disease management.
• Exhibitions:Through regular exhibition of local poultry breeds in Kisan Melas, Animal Camps, Livestock Championship and other poultry exhibitions. This helps in the selection of good quality birds.

• Breeding of local poultry breeds:Since most of the small holder poultry farmers are poor, Government should extend assistance to improve the poultry farming system by providing good quality chicks to the backyard poultry and suggest for multiplication of birds at their own level from these good quality hens. Within a time frame the skills are to be transferred to farmers at village level. Attempt, however, should be made to retain broodiness in the local stocks since it makes the system auto generating. These hens are used for producing the chicks at home level.
• Record keeping:In order to improve egg production there is a need to record the performance of individual hens for egg production. It is not a problem to obtain this information since each hen lays her egg in a separate nest regularly. This will provide information on laying capacity and hatching performance for each hen. Those hens with higher egg production and hatchability should be selected to reproduce next generation.

Vaccination schedule: Follow the vaccination schedule given below:

Age of birds	Name of vaccine	Name of disease	Doses	Route of vaccination
Day old chicks	HVT MD Vaccine	Marek’s disease	0.2 ml	s/c or i/m
4-7 days	F-1/Lasota	Ranikhet disease	One drop	Eye or nostril
14 to 18 days	Intermediate plus	Gumboro  disease	–	Drinking water
35 days	F-1/Lasota	Ranikhet disease	One drop	Eye and nostril
6 to 7 weeks	Chicken embryo adopted	Fowl Pox	0.5 ml	Wing stab method
8 to weeks	Strain killed vaccine	Ranikhet disease	0.5 ml	s/c or i/m

• Extension services: Extension support for health care, input supply, market linkages, and other aspects should be readily available at the village level. The people should participate in the health care and breed development program.

The majority of farmers expressed an interest in expanding their poultry operations, despite the fact that medium producers made up the majority of the farmers. A systemic training program tailored to rural communities should be created to boost chicken production at the farmer level.

Furthermore, in the villages, extension, and motivational work, as well as technical support, should be conducted to encourage farmers to rear and consume more backyard poultry production, as this is a means of sustainable livelihood for the poorer sections of society and will aid in food production, food security, and providing employment to rural peoples.

Lack of technical knowledge, lack of suitable germplasm, decrease in the availability of natural resources of feed and inadequate veterinary support is the alarming constraints of the traditional backyard poultry production system.

 

Recommendations

In order to improve egg production there is a need to record the performance of individual hens for egg production. It is not a problem to obtain this information since each hen lays her egg in a separate nest regularly. This will provide information on laying capacity and hatching performance for each hen. Those hens with higher egg production and hatchability should be selected to reproduce next generation.  Since most of the small holder poultry farmers are poor, government should extend assistance to improve the poultry farming system. In such cases, limited Government poultry farms are to be used for selective breeding of local poultry breeds and their multiplication for supply to the villagers. Within a time frame the skills are to be transferred to farmers at village level. Attempt, however, should be made to retain broodiness in the local stocks since it makes the system auto generating.  Through regular exhibition of local poultry breeds, the local breeders / associations should be recognized and encouraged for their work.  All the poultry stocks should he vaccinated against the most common killer diseases like Ranikhet Disease (RD) and Fowl Pox.  Poultry farmers should be given training on basics of poultry production and selection of breeds,  Extension support for health care, input supply, market linkages and other aspects should be readily available at village level. The people should participate in the health care and breed development programme.  Small packs of R.D. vaccine containing preferably 50 or less doses of the vaccine to be made available to reduce wastage and make it economical for farmers.

 

Suggested Research

 

Although more than two-third of the total poultry available in the state are raised in backyard in smallholder production system, research and development efforts have been either negligible or nonexistent. In view of the importance of backyard poultry for economic upliftment of rural poor, it is suggested that this should receive priority in planning process as well as in research and development. The research and development areas should include ó To identify ‘risk factors’ in development and conservation of indigenous poultry breeds/ populations and the technologies that are giving adverse and unfavourable cost and return structure in smallholders indigenous poultry need revaluation. ó To develop an extended inventory of feed resources available locally for formulation of least cost poultry rations. ó To develop / update and standardise husbandry practices for low input backyard poultry production. ó Development of simple breeding techniques to bring about improvement of the local breeds. ó Socio-economic evaluation of available technologies and development of new technologies to promote rural poultry production. ó To develop a thermostable Ranikhet disease (RD) vaccine which can be used by oral / nasal routes. The Lentogenic R.D. virus thermo stable vaccine production is a challenge. It shall

eliminate the cold chain dependency; especially to reach inaccessible rural villages where mostly poor live. ó Development of a Fowl-pox vaccine, which can be used and the effective to below 8 weeks chicks. ó Development of a dual type of bird, which can withstand rural conditions of management and feeding regimes. ó The course curriculum for Veterinary Science students should contain a chapter on rural and backyard poultry production. ó Measures to protect small holder backyard native germplasm farmer’s interest in the wake of commercial poultry production. ó Farming of local duck breeds should be promoted in the coastal belt of the state to exploit its otherwise unutilized vast feed resources.

 

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INDIGENOUS & LOW INPUT TECHNOLOGY CHICKEN

 

Rural backyard poultry farming in India

 

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