Cost economics of Rajasri a backyard bird reared under different systems of management

A study was carried out to assess the economic viability of Rajasri, a synthetic variety suitable for backyard rearing under different management and feeding regimen. At 7^thweek of age 400 birds were randomly distributed in to 5 treatment groups (T1, Intensive deep litter with ad lib feed; T2 and T3 under semi-intensive with 20 and 40% of ad lib feed: T4 and T5 under scavenging at farm and farmer's backyard respectively) with 4 replicates each. The input cost for rearing T1 group during grower and layer phase (Rs. 4769.60 and 23680.80) was significantly (P<0.05) higher when compared to other treatment groups. Accordingly the cost of 20 weeks pullet was high for intensive raring rather than farmer's backyard. Total input cost during laying phase was also higher in T2 compared to T3, T4 and T5. Total returns during laying phase was Rs. 26825.9, 12775.04, 15391.20, 16774.76 and 16317.80 for T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively. The net profit per bird was high at farmer's backyard rearing of birds followed by farm backyard rearing. It can be concluded that rearing of Rajasri birds under scavenging system is more beneficial when compared to intensive and semi-intensive rearing, as in these system of rearing input cost was high for feed supplementation ranging between 71.19 to 87.4%.