FARMER'S NOTEBOOK
Ideal chicken breeds for backyard rearing
M.J. Prabu
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The birds are resistant to major infections except ranikhet disease
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The birds are good layers and endowed with good growth compared with other varieties
— PHOTO: DVPM
BREEDING RATIO: A flock of five hens and one cock can be ideally grown in the backyard.
POULTRY FARMERS in the country have always looked forward to having an improved breed of chicken, which can be grown both for meat and eggs.
Though a majority of them continue to grow white plumage layers and broiler chickens for eggs and meat, there continues to be a preference for coloured birds, which lay brown coloured eggs, among small poultry farmers and landless labourers.
Two hybrids
The development of two hybrid coloured chicken breeds named Giriraja and Girirani (the latter yet to be released) developed by researchers at the Department of Avian Production and Management (DVPM), Hebbal, Bangalore will go a long way to meet their aspirations.
Both these breeds can be reared for their eggs and meat. The birds have a high egg production potential along with better growth compared to local varieties and are suited for mixed and backyard farming, according to Prof. K. Venkat Reddy, Associate Professor, DVPM.
Body weight
Both the birds attain maturity from the 22nd week after hatching. Females attain a body weight of about 3 kg and the males about 4 kg. "Giriraja female lays about 160-170 eggs a year while Girirani lays about 180-190 eggs. Each egg weighs about 55-60 gms," said Prof. Reddy.
"The eggs have a good hatchability (80-85 per cent) and enable the farmers to raise their own stock. Day-old chick weighs about 35-45 gms," he said. "The eggshell is brown in colour and thicker than that of other commercial eggs and does not break easily.
"It can be stored for 15 days at room temperature. The eggs are priced at the rate of Rs.3 in the local market," said Prof. Venkat Reddy.
The birds are only layers and not brooders ( that is, they only lay eggs and do not incubate them). The eggs have to be hatched by local brooder hens.
For backyard rearing, a flock of five hens and one cock can be ideally grown," he explained.
According to Prof. Venkat Reddy, the birds are sturdy and have a high longevity.
Feeding details
No special care is required to grow them. They can be raised as free roaming birds and can be fed with locally available materials.
Being good scavengers, they feed on a variety of insects and green foliage. They can also be fed on farm and kitchen wastes. "The birds are resistant to major infections except Ranikhet," said Prof Venkat Reddy.
"A pair of Giriraja chicken fetches an income of about Rs.700 a year and a pair of Girirani birds fetch an income of about Rs.785 a year through the sale of their eggs and meat.
"One day old chicks and eggs of both the breeds priced at Rs. 9 and Rs. 5 respectively are sold at the university campus," he said.
For more information readers may contact the Professor and Head, Department of Avian Production and Management, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal, Fishery Sciences University (KVAFSU), Hebbal, Bangalore-560024, Phone: (080) 23414384, 23411483 (ext) 201.
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