Рет қаралды 971,066
India is the fifth largest broiler producer in the world. However, the per capita availability of poultry meat is far below the ICMR recommendation which is 11 Kg meat per capita per annum. Farmers no longer find it difficult to market the broilers since there are many corporate companies that have enabled a suitable rearing environment for the farmers. Since broiler chickens are slaughtered at the age of 6-8 weeks farmers find it easier to rear broilers. Broilers provide adequate employment opportunities to the poultry production system. In past few years, considerable progress has been made with respect to equipment, vaccines, technical guidance, etc. Owing to an improvement in the management practices, occurrence of mortality has decreased to a great extent. There are also institutes providing training to entrepreneurs. Also since there is considerable importance given to broilers in the national policy, the scope for further development seems good.
Broiler Chicken Breeds
Since broiler breeds are reared chiefly for meat purposes they are divided into 2 categories:
Commercial broiler breeds
Dual purpose broiler breeds
Commercial Broiler Chicken Breeds
They are reared for the chicken meat alone and are slaughtered when they attain 6-8 weeks of age. There are genetically modified commercial broiler breeds available. These are modified genetically to produce meat rather than egg. Such breeds have increased meat production and a higher conversion rate. The chicken can be of either sex. Some examples of broiler chicken that are bred commercially are Hubbard, Cobb, Caribro, Avian, Krishibro, Varna, Vencobb, Hy-cobb, etc.
Dual Purpose Broiler Chicken Breeds
Dual purpose breeds are reared for both eggs and meat. They are generally the ‘backyard’ variety. They are self-reliant, hardy and have a larger body. The eggs that they lay have a brown-colored shell. Some examples of this breed are Rhode Island Red, New Hampshire, White Plymouth Rock, Gramapriya, Red Vanaraja, etc. To learn more about ‘backyard’ varieties.
Poultry House Design
The houses must be constructed in the north-south direction. Constructing them in the East-West direction would expose them to the sunlight. It is advisable to use locally available materials like mud, bamboo, etc for constructing the house than investing in procuring materials for building the coop. The investment can be made in procuring breeds, feed etc.
Broiler Farming Management
Since broilers are reared for meat a systematic, well-planned broiler management is necessary to get the desired results. Rearing is followed in different ways. They might be reared as a single batch or in multiple batches of brooding and rearing.
Single Batch
Also called as ‘all-in-all-out’ system, the farm has only one batch of broilers being reared at a given time. In other words, the chicks would belong to the same hatch. They are purchased as per the farm capacity, reared and marketed in one single lot. It is a more planned system as there is only one batch of birds all belonging to the same hatch to be dealt with at one single time. It also reduces chances of developing infections or the spread of a disease. The mortality rate is reduced while the feed conversion and growth rate is enhanced and more efficient. This system is however only suitable for a small poultry farm. It is not suited for a large farm with higher capitals.
Multiple Batch
As the name suggests, more than one batch of chicks belong to different stages of hatching are reared. The batch interval varies between one to four weeks. The farmers buy day-old chicks and rear them for upto five to six weeks before marketing them. While they buy the chicks, they also sell broilers that maybe 5-6 weeks. They are sold when they attain the desired body weight. Generally they are sold for table purposes. Farmers ideally have 5-6 batches of broilers at any given time. The time interval between two batches maybe 2-4 weeks. They are generally sold in direct retail marketing. Birds of 45-50 days of age who are healthy and have attained the desired body weight are sold. While heavier birds are sold early, the weaker ones are reared for a longer period to let them compensate the body weight.
Marketing in Broiler Farming
The broilers are marketed when they are five to six weeks old. In India, broiler marketing must be planned in advance. This is especially because in India, meat does not have much market value during festival times.