Indian Journal of Poultry Science

In this study conducted in the Nabarangpur district of Odisha, farmers were supplied with day-old Khaki Campbell ducklings and Vanaraja chicks for evaluation within backyard systems. Each farmer received essential provisions, including broiler starter feed, medicine, and necessary equipment for initial bird feeding during the brooding phase. The farmers were instructed on recommended rearing practices. Data collection encompassed body weights, mortality rates, and market sale prices of the birds. Ducks exhibited significantly higher body weights than chicks at 4 and 8 weeks of age, with notable variations in the recorded body weight data. At 24 weeks, both male and female Vanaraja chickens demonstrated significantly higher body weights than ducks. Profit analysis, considering market prices, revealed that rearing 20 to 24 ducklings could result in an additional income of 2000 to 6400 through the sale of ducks and eggs at 6 months of age. Similarly, rearing 20 chicks yielded earnings ranging from 1750 to 12000 for chicken farmers. The study highlighted that ducks experienced more substantial body weight gain between 4 to 8 weeks of age compared to chickens. In contrast, chickens exhibited continuous weight gain up to 24 weeks. The potential for higher profits in duck sales was suggested by selling them individually at three months of age. For chickens, optimal profit was associated with rearing them up to 4 to 6 months, considering they are sold based on body weight. Farmers utilized the obtained profits or sale prices for diverse household expenditures, seed purchases, medicines, loan repayments, etc