Backyard poultry with improved germplasm like Vanaraja and Gramapriya
There was a long felt need among the farmer, farmwomen and rural youth to start the production of poultry birds. Backyard poultry is a part of livelihood among the farmwomen. However, low egg production and weight gain of desi bird is the major problem in the backyard poultry. To minimize the gap between the demand and availability of poultry products like meat and eggs in the district, improved breeds of poultry birds- Vanaraja and Gramapriya for backyard with better performance like growth, egg production and capacity to withstand the changing climate and diseases compared to the local/ desi birds was taken up.
KVK conducted various programme to improve the status of backyard poultry for the farmer, farmwomen and rural youth. For this purpose KVK conducted awareness camps and trainings on scientific backyard poultry rearing followed by visit to the demonstration units of KVK. After, giving proper training to the selected farmer and trained on scientific backyard poultry rearing practices, selected farmers were provided with well grown Vanaraja and Gramapriya birds.
For introduction and demonstration of improved germplasm of backyard poultry in the district, Vanaraja for meat and egg (dual purpose) and Gramapriya for egg purpose were provided to selected families from different village. The technology was demonstrated through OFT mode. They were given 15 numbers of 3 weeks old birds of Vanaraja and Gramapriya for backyard poultry to up-grade the local flock of poultry. They have constructed the shed with easily available low cost materials on their own. Other facilities like vaccination, treatment, advices etc. were provided to them through health and vaccination camps, diagnostic visits, advisory services etc. The farmers feed the bird with homemade feed made from locally available materials and use homemade feeders and waterer for feeding and clean water supply. The results of the breeds were encouraging.
Due to rearing of improved bird like Vanaraja and Gramapriya egg production improve by more than 50% and quality of meat produce increases due to Vanaraja. Regular vaccination decreases the incidence of diseases and results in decrease in mortality. Feeding of homemade feed reduces the cost of production.
The acceptability of people in the district was found to be high owing to their overall performance. The demand for hatching eggs is very high for hatching with their local broody hen and demanded for more training and demonstration on scientific backyard poultry production. Farmers, farm women and rural youths are also demanding for more day old chicks for rearing in backyard as a source of income generating enterprise. To cater the demand KVK provide fertile hatching eggs at minimum cost to the demanding farmers for hatching with their local hen.
Md. Lutfur Rahman Choudhury of Vill. Narayanpur Part-I P.O Cahandpur west, Hailakandi Block approached KVK Hailakandi and regularly visited the demonstration units which motivated him and put forward his interest in poultry rearing. He has been selected as a beneficiary for backyard poultry production. After attending the training he was provided with 15 numbers of Vanaraja bird. He reared carefully and fortunately all survived. He has generated an income of Rs. 2160.00 by disposing surplus male birds @ Rs 180 per kg live weight after retaining two males for breeding. He also sold 1300 eggs @ Rs. 6.00 per egg and thus an income of Rs.7800.00 was generated by selling eggs alone. He also produces chicks by incubating fertile eggs under free range condition to generate these birds to meet their further need. Now he has about 35 chicks of different age group hatched by his local hen and 22 fertile eggs kept for regulation by natural incubation. Now he has about 30 birds and earned Rs. 60-80 per day from the selling of eggs which is an additional income.
KVK in future is planning to provide day old chicks of Vanaraja and Gramapriya in large quantity for rearing commercially local bird production unit for rural youth so that they can get sufficient income.