Improving livelihood security of rural women through Rajasree backyard poultry farming

A total number of 1890 day old Rajasree chicks were reared in deep litter system up to 9 weeks of age under standard managemental conditions. At 9 weeks 1800 grownup chicks were distributed to 60 women beneficiaries in four villages at the rate of 20 F+10 M per each beneficiary and reared semi-scavenging conditions with supplement grain feeding. The male and female average body weights and FCR at 9^th week were 640 g and 540 g and 3.18 and 3.70, respectively. At the end of 20^th weeks the bodyweight were 1160.6 g and 1006.9 g, in male and female, respectively under backyard farming. During layer stage, the average age at first egg and 50% egg production in the backyard condition was 179 days and 206 days, respectively. The mean body weight at 52weeks was 1510 g and 2011g in females and males, respectively. The average total egg production per unit was 1520 with an average egg weight of 52 g. The peak mean hen day egg production was 60.98% at 46 weeks of age. The average mortality during the study period was 14.99% and 12.33%, respectively in females and males.

Economic analysis indicated that a total of Rs.5,02,984 was realize through the sale of eggs, chicks and culled birds. An amount of Rs.279.43 was realized from each bird excluding chick cost. The results showed that the rural farmers have generated Rs.28.51 as net income per day by maintaining 30 Rajasree birds. Therefore, the present study indicates that importance of adapting the backyard poultry farming for livelihood security of rural women.