A survey on village chicken production in Kerala state of India
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Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
World's Poultry Science Association
Abstract
The present study was conducted to document the rearing practices of village
chicken production in the Northern midlands, agro-ecological zone comprising
Kannur and Kozhikode districts of Kerala state, India. Data was generated from
65 and 63 chicken farming families of Kozhikode and Kannur districts respectively.
The system of chicken rearing is extensive, with the provision of shelter only during
the night. The birds are being managed mostly by women (89.06%). The decision on
the sale of birds and eggs is made by women and the proceeds of sales go directly to
them. It was found that as many as 43.75% of the chicken farmers in these areas
have no other animal husbandry activities. The average flock size is 5.62 birds.
Natural incubation using locally available materials as a nest box and sand as the
nesting material is the common practice. The average number of eggs set under the
broody hen for hatching is 10.41. Chicken coops are placed at an average distance
of 5.45m from the house and elevated 0.39 m from the ground. The average floor
area of the coops is 0.757 m2 and the night shelter provided per bird is 830.39 cm2.
The walls and floor of the coops are made of wood and the roof with tiles or thatch
in most of cases. Rice grain is commonly fed as supplementary feed with mostly no
specific timing in feeding. Farmers depend on an array of herbs rather than
chemotherapeutic agents and vaccines for the treatment and control of diseases.
Most of the surplus males (59.38%) are discarded before one year of age, whereas
females are less commonly culled (21.87%). The average culling age of males and
females was 11.05 and 36.64 months, respectively. It was discovered that as high as
52.15% of the eggs and 59.38% of the cockerels produced are consumed in the home. When sold they attract at least a two-fold higher price compared to birds of industrial origin.
Description
TNV_WPSJ_2013_69(917-930)
Keywords
Veterinary Science