Demonstration on Himsamridhi variety of chicken under rural poultry production in District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh

Rural poultry production besides improving the family nutrition also improves the overall agricultural income of households. In the present study the performance of Himsamridhi variety of chicken under rural poultry farming in district Kangra, Himachal Pradesh was demonstrated. Day old chicks of Himsamridhi variety were supplied to farmers and the performance of birds in terms of mortality up to 4-6wk of age, age at first egg, adult body weight (20 wk of age), annual egg production and economic returns were assessed. Results revealed that mean chick mortality up 4-6 wk was about 12% while the body weight at 20wk in case of male and female birds was 1.61±0.12 and 1.2±0.1 Kg, respectively. The mean age at first egg was observed as 184±2.5d and annual egg production per hen was 112±2.1. In case of economic returns it was found that by rearing a unit of 25 birds a household can generate an income of about Rs 16200/-. Thus it may be concluded that Himsamridhi variety of chicken perform well under local agroclimatic conditions and may be reared in areas where demand/price of brown shelled eggs was more.