24. 110-120g/day Scavenging + 25-30 g balanced layer ration Scavenging + 25-30 g balanced layer ration Scavenging + 25-30 g balanced layer ration Feeding Commercial Backyard Backyard Backyard Purpose 96 95 95 95 Livability in % White tinted Brown Light Brown Egg Colour 56 55 52-55 50 Egg weight in g 1.6 1.8 2 1.8 Body weight at 72 weeks in kg 300 200-225 190-200 180-200 Annual egg production (upto 72 weeks of age) in numbers 150 180 175 180 Age at 50% egg production 139 150 152 160 Age at sexual maturity in days Athulya Gramapriya Gramasree Gramalakshmi Characteristics Comparison of performance of common layer birds.
25. Comparative performance of Native breeds of chicken in India 54 99 201 1005 4. Naked neck 49 105 180 920 3. Kadaknath 53 110 185 1005 2. Frizzle 50 92 196 1220 1. Aseel Egg weight at 40 weeks (g) Annual egg production (No.) Age at sexual maturity (days) Body weight (20 weeks) Breed
26.
27. Turkey Farming - ve Long generation interval High investment Low demand + ve White Meat Low Fat Low Cholesterol Seasonal Premium Price
30. Space Allowance in Feeders and Waters (per bird) Feeder Waterer 0 - 4 weeks 4 cm 2 cm 5 - 8 weeks 8 cm 4 cm 9 - 12 weeks 12 cm 6 cm 13-16 weeks 16 cm 8 cm > 16 weeks 20 cm 10 cm
35. RDF or Lasota : 5-7 days and 30 days Pox vaccine : 6 weeks and 22 weeks RDVK : 10 weeks 20 weeks 40 weeks Vaccination Schedule
36. Disease Control Measures Water Sanitation Quality Feed Disinfection Procedure Bio-security Measures Egg Dipping.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44. 1) Age at first egg 120 days (4 months) 2) Age at 50% production 146 days ( 5 months) 3) Annual egg production 300 eggs 4) Body weight at 40 weak 1.8 kg 5) Daily feed consumption per 120-130 gms 6) Bird (which can be reduced to 50% under foraging ) 7) Duck mortality i) 0-8 weeks 2 to 3% ii) 8-20 weeks 0.2 to 0.5% iii) Adult mortality 5 to 7% Performance parameters of Khaki Campbell ducks are given as under :
45.
46.
47.
48. Performance of the Commercial Meat Ducks 5.6 kg 3.0 kg 2.7 : 1 (M) 2.7 : 1 (F) 16 weeks Muscovy 5 3.00 3.18 : 1 49 - 56 Pekin 4 3.09 2.8 : 1 47 Quick Gro (Philippines) 3 3.09 2.8 : 1 47 C.P Duck (Thailand) 2 3.00 2.5 : 1 49 - 56 Cherry Valley (U.K) 1 weight (kg) Feed Conversion ratio Marketing age (days) Breed
49.
50.
Editor's Notes
As per the reports of animal Husbandry Department, Govt of Kerala (2006) , a market demand of 5063 million eggs in the state against the availability of a meagre 1197 million eggs. The demand for poultry meat is estimated to be 1.2 lakh tonnes/year against a production of 32704 Tonnes.
The per capita availability of egg in Kerala is very low at 72 eggs/ year and that of poultry meat is at 0.9 kg/year against the world average of 147 eggs and 11 kg poultry meat /year, which is the level recommended by the National Institute of Nutrition..
The Census figures indicated that the chicken and duck population in Kerala reduced to half over a period from 1996 to 2003. However, there has been a significant improvement in the population of other species of poultry especially quail and turkeys. An overall 47% reduction in the poultry population was observed during the period.
Among the districts of Kerala, Malappuram registered the highest number of poultry (15.25 lakhs) followed by Thrissur (3.06), Ernakulam (12.26) and Palakkad (11.93) whereas Wyanad recorded the lowest (3.35 lakhs). Other districts recorded a population between 4-10 lakhs.
There are various reasons for the decline in poultry population in Kerala. One of the primary reasons is the non-availability of land. Kerala is already placed in India among the most thickly populated states. The agricultural land is also on the decline, which translates to a higher cost of feed ingredients. There are no feed companies in Kerala which make specific poultry feeds. Therefore, many a times, feed has to be procured from other states. The availability of quality chicks is another problem in Kerala. Moreover, the cost of labour compared to neighbouring states is another constraint. For poultry farmers, loan/credit facilities are far from satisfactory. Furthermore, small poultry units lack insurance coverage. Over and above, Government has imposed a 12.5% Value Added Tax.
Low production potential in the stocks maintained by the backyard farmers and small holders. However, the up gradation has to be gradual as the birds need to retain their hardiness, required for their scavenging nature and survivability in harsh rural conditions Proper feeding and other managemental aspects will also help improve the productivity of the birds. Duck production is a feasible choice for ensuring the food security of the rural poor. This improves the nutritive status via egg and meat and improves economic activity by giving supplementary income. Strengthening of other species like quail and turkey for eggs and meat will enable us to ensure food security. Poultry Farmers Service Centres may be established on Regional basis to provide need based service to farmers be it Quality chicks, Feed, Biologicals, Medicines on subsidised rates and Technical Advice.
Health coverage to the birds in the rural areas needs to be strengthened. Timely vaccinations and medication, coupled with strict biosecurity measures are needed. Availability of vaccines and drugs, as also their safety in terms of acceptable levels in end products for human consumption are other issues needed to be tackled. Special emphasis is needed for creating a marketing network of rural poultry produce. There is a need to improve processing, preservation and marketing of eggs and poultry products. It needs to be supported by providing infrastructure for meat processing, packaging, preservation and marketing with value addition of products and maintaining a cold chain till the product reaches the consumer. With intensive production, environmental pollution abatement and bio-waste management strategies have to be worked out . Exemption of VAT on poultry and Better insurance coverage to poultry units to mitigate natural disasters and disease incidences will help to promote poultry farming.