Backyard poultry farming is a small-scale system where a rural household keeps 5-25 birds primarily for family use and consumption. Any surplus eggs or birds are sold locally to generate additional income. It is an important source of nutrition, income and asset building for poorer families. The birds require adequate housing that protects them from weather and predators while providing access to feed, water, light and ventilation. Though production is low, backyard poultry is low-cost and the birds can find food by scavenging, making it a valuable system for rural livelihoods.

1. NEEDS OF POULTRY BACKYARD
FARMING
Submitted by:-
Alok Sharan
I.D- V 2002

2.  The term backyard chicken production
designates poultry birds which are reared on
small scale by a household.
 In this type of poultry rearing, usually a few
birds are kept primarily for family use.

3. Contd…
 The surplus birds and
eggs are sold in the
village or nearby
market and the cash
earned is utilized for
fulfilling other needs
of the household.
 Rural families were
keeping 10 to 12
chicken either for
family consumption or
as a small
income generating unit.

4.  Backyard chicken
production is an
important aspect of
poultry farming on
small scale.
 Poultry is efficient
converter of non-
edible kitchen
wastes and other
crop wastes into
high quality food
for man.

5.  Backyard household chicken production is
very popular in many parts of the world,
particularly in the developing countries,
where most of the population resides in rural
areas.
 Most of the third world countries, poultry was
kept on small farms under extensive
management system which considerably
contributed to the cash income of the rural
families.

6.  In general, rural back yard
poultry is a low input and
low output system
managed by women and
children of the households.
 Sourcing feed from scavenging and auto
regeneration are the two important aspect’s of
backyard poultry.

7. The generic features of this system are:
 Typical flock size ranges between 5-25 birds.
 Birds are raised under scavenging
system without special
inputs in terms of feeding,
housing or labor.

8.  Mainly local birds are reared although there
are specific/specialized indigenous breeds in
some geographical areas. These breeds
represent a rich source of disease resistant
germplasm.
 The system auto regenerates as the chicks
are usually obtained by hatching locally.
 In most of the cases, egg produced are for
home consumption or for limited trade within
the village.
 Production performances of these birds is
about 40-60 eggs/annum and 1-1.5 kg meat
at the end of production cycle.

9.  The importance of backyard poultry also lies
in the fact that there is a no dedicated land
required to feed it.
 Backyard poultry makes
a significant contribution
to the livelihoods of
poorer households in
terms of nutrition, income,
asset building and
fulfilling some religious right.

10.  It is a liquid asset that can be sold quickly to
meet any emergency cash needs of poorer
family.
 Backyard poultry provides supplementary
incomes, mostly in the hands of women.
 These incomes and assets are essential
supplements for surviving droughts, at least
for the people at the margin.
 Well managed backyard poultry can easily
give returns almost equal to an acre of dry
land!

11.  1. Protection
 2. Adequate Space
 3. Easy Access to Feed and Water
 4. Source of Light
 5. Ventilation
 6. Appearance
 7. Use Common Sense

12.  A good poultry house protects the birds from
the elements (weather), predators, injury and
theft.
 Poultry require a dry, draft-free house.
 Build the coop on high, well-drained areas.
 Face the front of the coop, the windows and
outside run to the south which allows the sun
to warm and dry the coop and soil.
 Keeping poultry totally confined to together
with fence and covered runs are your best
protection from predators.

13.  With outside runs, bury the wire along the
pen border at least 12" deep, and toe the
fence outward about 6 inches.
 A protective dog kept near your coop usually
works well to discourage predators and
unwanted visitors.

14.  Birds need adequate space for movement and
exercise as well as areas to nest and roost.
 Space requirements vary with the type of bird
you raise.

15.  Feeders and waters should be placed
conveniently throughout the pen for birds'
access.
 Place the bottom of
the waterers and top
lip of the feeders at
the birds' back height.
 This will keep the feed
and water clean and
prevent wastage.

16.  To produce eggs from your flock year-round,
one electric light every 40 feet at ceiling height is
appropriate.
 Windows placed on the
south side of the coop
will also be a good
source of light and
warmth in winter and
a good source of
ventilation in summer.

17.  Ample air movement without a draft is
essential.
 For small coops windows or vents on one side
of the house usually provide plenty of
ventilation.
 Locate openings on the
side away from prevailing
winds.
 The south or east side
is usually best.

18.  Exteriors of structures should be kept painted
and well-maintained.
 Weeds and trash should be removed from
around all facilities.
 Proper landscaping can provide screening and
also help muffle sounds from the birds.

20.  Build the roof high enough and situate such
permanent structures as nests, roosts, and
feeders for easy access and to make it easier
to clean all areas of the house.
 Install doors so that they open inward.
 Use building materials which will be easy to
clean and disinfect.
 Slightly sloping the floor toward the door can
help prevent puddling in the building.

21. Reference :-
Strengthening the backyard poultry [a
article by Experiences of AP Drought
Adaptation Initiative (AP DAI)].
Wikipedia
Poultry Production ( by Professor R. A.
SINGH)