An economic analysis of free range poultry rearing by rural women

A study was conducted in 5 villages of Namakkal district to find out the economic potentials of freerange desi poultry rearing by rural women. The farms were post-stratified into small (41 farms), medium (40 farms) and large (14 farms). The flock size were 5, 12, and 26 and egg production in respect ofthem were 44, 49 and 52. The average annual farm income from sale of eggs and birds were Rs.2667.90, Rs.6971.04 and Rs.15273.44 for small, medium and large farms respectively. For brooding birds were used. The sale price of eggs and birds on free range rearing were much higher than the sale price ofcommercial eggs and broilers. No periodic vaccination and no proper shelter were provided to the birds.