Characterization of Free-range Indigenous Chicken Production System in North-East India (Assam)

A survey was undertaken in four agro-climatic zones of Assam to explore the existing free-range indigenous chicken farming system. Data were collected from 200 farmers, selected randomly by personal interviews with structured questionnaire. Results on existing free-range chicken production system were analyzed and documented. The overall mean age of the chicken farmer was 37.95±0.77 years. The primary purpose of chicken rearing was to meet day to day petty expenses (49.50%) and self-consumption (24.50%). The overall mean flock size recorded as 29.79±0.28 number per household and the flocks were mostly comprised of chicks. Majority (63%) of the chicken coop were constructed inside the dwelling house without any specifications with locally available materials. The study also indicated that indigenous chicken production was characterized by scavenging with supplemental feeds. Primarily home produced eggs were used for natural incubation by broody hen or duck. Newcastle (Ranikhet) disease was the most fatal disease that caused heavy mortality in indigenous chicken flock as reported by 84.5 per cent of the respondents. Farmers seldom vaccinated their birds against any diseases, but none of them practiced deworming. Chickens were mostly sold as live chicken. Eggs were mostly collected from farmers’ doorstep by hawkers. The study indicated that the indigenous chicken played a significant role in nutritional and livelihood of rural smallholders.

• Majority of the chicken farmers were women.

• The main purpose of rearing indigenous was to meet day to day petty expenses.