RAJA SRI

Research on backyard poultry on the livelihood and nutritional security of BPL families under

rural scenario

IntroductionRaising of local poultry breeds in backyard is an

important source of livelihood for the rural people of northern Telangana region.

These birds are exclusively raised in the backyards, spread across all categories of house holds.

The growing demand for indigenous eggs and low investment involved in backyard sector provides opportunity for the rural poor farmers’ women, for more gainful supplementary income generation opportunities for the family

However, the problems of low weight gain, less number of eggs per bird and high mortality of chicks with desi birds are some of the hindrances to take up backyard poultry as a small scale enterprise on commercial lines, which need to be overcome through introduction of improved variety of desi birds with better performance levels.

In order to improve the livelihood and nutritional security of BPL families through backyard poultry rearing

PV Narsimha Rao Telangana Veterinary University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad has developed a variety for backyard rearing named Rajasri

RAJASRI• Combination of 3 Exotic breeds and local ND fowls• Rajasri which is medium in size with long shanks and

colourful plumage resembling desi birds.• it is an egg type bird with laying capacity of 160-180 eggs

per annum. • Eggs are brown in color similar to desi egg.• Withstands adverse conditions• Better resistance

Economic traits of Rajasri and indigenous chickens

Trait Rajasri Indigenous

Age at first egg (in days) 165 191.25

Egg production /Hen/year 170 54.62

Egg weight 40 weeks (g) 48 36.12

Egg weight 72 weeks (g) 52 41.07

• Birds of six week old were distributed to BPL families in the rural areas of Karimnagar district under Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana Scheme (RKVY) of Government of India (GOI) in 2014-2015.

• Instructional Livestock Farm Complex, College of Veterinary Science, Korutla.

Objectives of the Project

To supply 3000 Rajasri (6 weeks old) chicks to BPL families to enhance their nutrional and livelihood security.

Rural BPL families (150) identified with the help of local administration.

A total of 3000 Rajasri chicks of 6 weeks age will be supplied on 50% subsidy and their performance and socio economic impact will be monitored with the help of local AH department.

The beneficiary farmer should be from BPL family, having ration card.

The distribution & identification of beneficiary data collection will be done in consultation with AH Department officials.

Areas of coverage, Metpally & Jagitial AH divisions

• 50% cost of the chick including maintenance up to the age of distribution i.e 6 weeks age works out Rs. 60/-. Out of this, 50% subsidy i.e. Rs. 30/- will be extended to the beneficiary farmer who has to pay Rs. 30/- per chick.

• The beneficiary farmer will be offered training on rearing and management of the birds.

• The data on body weights units and egg production will be recorded on these birds.

• 20 chicks/ family will be given.

This will basically enhance the nutritional security of the family besides providing a subsidiary income without much input/effort.

Moreover, this will enhance the confidence levels of rural women by initiating them in to income generation activity.

It is expected that the farmers will get benefited by the sale eggs and male birds. About 1500 eggs are expected from 10 females (Rs. 4500 @ Rs. 3/-) by sale of these eggs and 10 males (Rs. 2000 @ Rs. 200/-), the family will get Rs. 6500/- in a year.

Budget for the year 2014-2015Allotted Expenditure Balance

Name of the item Amount

9,14,000=00 Day old chicks 45000=00 NilTransportation of chicks 10000=00 NilChick feeders 75000=00 NilChick waterers 75000=00 NilGrower fedeers 112500=00 NilGrower waters 112500=00 NilElectric brooders 32000=00 NilDebeaker 24000=00 NilHover and electrical equipment 20000=00 NilHusk, Buckets, mugs, tarpaulin sheets etc.

20000=00 10=00

Labour charges @ Rs.8000/month (for 6 months period)

67000=00 Nil

Technical staff/ record assistant (for 6 months period) @10000/-PM

42000=00 Nil

Medicine cost @ 10/- per birds 30000=00 168=00Chicks feed (kg) upto 1 month age (30Days)

72000=00 114=00

Grower feed (kg) upto 2 month age (30Days)

101000=00 17623=00

Chick box 1600=00 25=00Transport charges for distribution of birds and allowances for staff (TA, DA)

38000=00 Nil

Training program on back yard poultry

25000=00 Nil

Stationary items & Miscellaneous 11400=00 Nill

Total 9,14,000=00 17940=00

135 Units of (20 birds in each unit) Rajasri birds distributed to BPL families @ Rs. 30/- per bird with 50% subsidy basis.

Received day old chicks on 27-03-2015

S.No Name of the Village No of units distributed ( 20 birds Each)

1 Madhapur (Korutla Mandal) 6

2 Madhapur (Korutla Mandal) 5

3 Sarparaj Pally (Korutla Mandal) 6

4 Sarparaj Pally (Korutla Mandal) 6

5 Sarparaj Pally (Korutla Mandal) 3

6 Bandalingapur ( Ibrahim patnam Mandal)

6

7 Varshakonda ( Ibrahim patnam Mandal)

7

8 Dabba & Yamapur( Ibrahim patnam Mandal)

3

9 Medipally & Katlakunta( Medipally Mandal)

6

10 Medipally & Katlakunta(Medipally Mandal)

6

11 Tumbaraopet( Medipally Mandal)

9

63 units (1260 birds)

S.No Name of the Village No of units distributed ( 20 birds Each) 1 Chalgal (Jagitial mandal) 4 units2 Singaraopet (Raikal mandal) 13 units3 Kumarpally (Raikal manadal) 2 units4 Allipoor (Raikal manadal) 4 units5 Maithapur (Raikal manadal) 10 units6 Aalur (Raikal manadal) 7 units7 Rajanagar (Raikal manadal) 3 units8 Kistampet (Raikal manadal) 7 units9 Thumbaraopet (Medipally Mandal) 6 units10 Venkatapoor (Korutla mandal) 3 units11 Ayodya (Raikal manadal) 3 units12 Thatipally (Mallial Mandal) 10 units

Total

72 Units ( 1440 birds)

Distributed on 03-03-2016 and 04-03-2016

Brooding of Rajasri chicks

Brooding

Weeks Mean Body weight ± SE

(grams)

Day old chicks 32.12 ± 0.32

1st week 40.0 ± 0.49

2nd week 72.15 ± 1.01

3rd week 102.12 ± 1.79

4th week 145.15 ± 2. 96

5th week 200.22 ± 3.25

6th week 230.45 ± 4.48

Mean weekly body weight (g) of Rajasri ChicksMean weekly body weight (g) of Rajasri Chicks

Weeks Mean Body weight ± SE

(grams)

15th week 650.25 ± 8.92

20th week (female) 900.23 ± 10.22

20th week Male body weight 1320 ± 12.25

25th week 1100 ± 11.25

30th week 1450 ± 12.96

Age at first egg production 165-180 days

Body weights at farmers houseBody weights at farmers house

Vaccination

• 1st day – Mareks disease• 5th day – RD Vaccine• 9th day IBD vaccine (Intermediate type)• 14th day IBD vaccine (Intermediate plus)• 21 day - RD Booster• 6th week – R2B vaccine

Distribution of Rajasri chicks at College adopted village Sarphrajpally

Distribution at Raikal Mandal

Mallial mandal

Recording of body weights

at the age of 15 weeks

Training programmes

Before distribution two training programme was organized to educate the farmers on vaccination, management, and disease prevention in the birds.

160 farmers were participatedPrepared a Booklet on “ Rajasri kolla pempakam lo

melakuvalu”

3 months old

5 months old

Age at sexual maturity (ASM)

• In our observation, the age at sexual maturity (ASM) ranged from 150 days to 180 days with a mean of 165 days in Rajasri birds under scavenging conditions

• However some of the beneficiaries (29.62%) have reported birds getting sexual maturity at more than 6 months, which might be due to poor scavenging feed base resource (SFBR) in that area.

Age at sexual maturity (ASM)

• The early age at sexual maturity 150-165 days (17.03%) and 165-180 days (53.33%) was observed in Rajasri birds might be attributed to the supplementary feeding (20%) of maize & broken rice and availability of good SFBR.

Body weight at sexual maturity• Majority of the beneficiaries (70.37%)

observed the body weight of 1300 -1400 g at sexual maturity of birds.

• Gaining of low body weight at sexual maturity is a positive sign for getting more eggs.

S.No Parameters Number of beneficiaries

Percentage (n=135)

1 Age at sexual maturity150-165 days 23 17.03165-180 days 72 53.33>180 days 40 29.62

2 Body weight at sexual maturity in (g)1100 -1200 g 21 15.551300 - 1400 g 95 70.37>1500 g 19 14.07

3 Mortality per cent1-3 100 74.074-6 35 25.92

4 Number of eggs produced/bird/month10-15 14 10.3715-18 85 62.96>18 36 26.66

5 Egg weight (g)40-45 42 31.1145-50 75 55.5550-55 18 13.33

Production parameters of Rajasri birds

S.No Parameters Number of beneficiaries

Percentage (n=135)

6 Per cent of eggs utilized in the house /Month out of total eggs produced25 15 11.1126-50 41 30.3751-70 65 48.14100 14 10.37

7 Eggs sold/month0-25 45 33.3326-50 55 40.7451-100 35 25.92

8 Number of males sold for meat purpose1-5 20 14.816-10 105 77.77>10 10 7.40

Mortality• Rajasri was found to be less prone to

environmental stress and easily escapes from predators in our observation.

• The average mortality of the birds was 1 to 3 (74.07%) and 3 to 6 percent (25.92%).

• Orientation of the farmers regarding vaccination schedule, disease control and follow up by technical team might also one of the reasons for reduced mortality.

Egg production and Egg weight

• 62.96% of the beneficiaries got 15-18 eggs/bird/month and 26.66% beneficiaries got more than 18 eggs/bird/month.

• However, few respondents got less than 10 eggs/bird/month.

• Majority of the beneficiaries (68.88%) observed the egg weight of 45-55 g under field conditions.

Utilization of eggs for household consumption

• Majority (48.14%) of the beneficiaries preferred utilization of eggs for household consumption, leading to improvement in the nutritional status of children, women and in turn the nutritional security.

• More egg production from Rajasri compared to native /indigenous chickens might enhance the household consumption.

• According to aroma, taste of eggs and meat from these chickens were similar to indigenous birds.

• Majority of beneficiaries are selling eggs (@ Rs 4.5/- per egg) and male live birds (@ Rs 200/- per kg at an average age of 9 months and generating income.

Hatching of Rajasri Eggs• To achieve the objective of propagation of Rajasri

variety at farmers’backyard, the farmers were educated regarding the incubation, brooding, care of newly hatched chicks, vaccination and health management.

• The beneficiaries were hatching the eggs only twice in a year. Due to the Rajasri birds are not having broodiness characteristic so farmers have to depend on desi hens for brooding.

S.No Expenditure Rs1

Night shelter , feed grains, vaccines (Rs 50/- per bird/annum)

1000/-

2About 1500 eggs from 10 females (150 eggs per annum/bird) 6750/-

3 By sale of 8 males @ Rs 200/- kg (Each bird 2 kg)

3200/-

4 Net income/Annum 9950/-5 Net profit /annum (Income –

Expenditure)8950/-

6 Net profit /bird 447.5/-

Economics of Rajasri birds

Economics• Income through sale of adult males Rs.3200/- and sale

of eggs Rs. 6750/- (@ 4.5/- per egg) was observed among majority of the beneficiaries.

• The net profit /20 birds/annum was Rs. 8950/- and Net profit /bird was 447.5/- which was felt by the farmers as an economically viable enterprise.

• The increased income over the rearing of indigenous birds might be due to better productivity of the Rajasri.

NARAM team inspection

NARAM team inspection

NARAM team inspection

NARAM team inspection

NARAM team inspection

Presentation to NARAM team about project

Conclusion • From the present research, it can be concluded that Rajasri

bird performs better under scavenging conditions to uplift socio economic status of BPL familes.

• A significant (p<0.05) increase in subsidiary income (@ Rs. 8950/- per family/annum) by sale of eggs and male birds was observed (Snedecor and Cochran,1994).

• Noticed that there was significant (p<0.05) increase in consumption of eggs and meat among beneficiary families.

• Besides the sale of eggs and meat, the farmers were also generating income by continuing the enterprise by reproducing the chicks by using local hens for brooding.

• Through this project achieved its goal by initiating income generating activity in the rural farmers and developed the entrepreneurial skills which helped in enhancing the self esteem of rural people.

• Moreover, rearing of Rajasri birds enhanced the confidence levels of poor farmers and rural women by generating income source for themselves.

• There is a need to supply more rajasri birds to the farmers for enhancing their livelihood and nutritional security.

Beneficiary’s expectations• Since Rajasri birds does not have broodiness

characters • Provision of incubator/ village, a mother unit with

brooding facilities. • Supply of more Rajasri birds at village level

TECHNICAL PROGRAMME OF WORKFOR THE YEAR 2016-17

• Project No. 1• Project Code 1• Name of the project: Research on backyard poultry on the livelihood

and nutritional security of BPL families under rural scenario

Scientists involved

S.No Name Designation Address

1 Dr. M. Kishan Kumar, Prof & Univ. Head

PI ILFC, CVSc, Korutla

2 Dr. G. SrinivasAssistant Professor

Co - PI Department of Poultry Science, CVSc, Korutla

3 Dr. K. VijayAssistant Professor

Co - PI ILFC, CVSc, Korutla

4 Dr. S. RajuAssistant Professor

Co - PI ILFC, CVSc, Korutla

Site of the experiment• Instructional Livestock Farm Complex, College

of Veterinary Science, Korutla, Karimnagar -505326.

• Duration: 1 Year (2016-17)

Objectives• To supply 6000 Rajasri (6 weeks old) chicks to

BPL families to enhance their nutrional and livelihood security.

• This will basically enhance the nutritional security of the family besides providing a subsidiary income without much input/effort.

• Moreover, this will enhance the confidence levels of rural women by initiating them in to income generation activity.

Sl. No Details of Items Total amount

1 Day old chicks including transportation (6000 Nos chicks)

1,20,000=00

2 Construction of shed for backyard rearing (30” X 90”) capacity of 3000 birds

1000000=00

3 Technical Staff & Labour wages 1,44,000=00

4 Feed & Medicine etc., 1,50,000=00

5 Training programmes to farmers 70,000=00

6 chicks transportation at farmers end 60000=00

6 Miscellaneous 90,000=00

Total Rs. 16,34,000=00

Technical Programme

Expected benefits to the farmers on adoption

• It is expected that the farmers will get benefited by the eggs and male birds. About 1500 eggs are expected from 10 females (Rs. 7500 @ Rs. 5.) by sale of these eggs and 10 males (Rs. 4000 @ Rs. 400), the family will get Rs. 11500 in a year.

• Besides, they may reproduce the chicks by using local hens for brooding and continue the enterprise at a suitable level.

• The house hold will be initiated in to income generating activity and entrepreneurial skills will also be developed, which help in enhancing the self esteem of rural people.