Poultry farming

Poultry farming is defined as rearing and breeding of avian species for the purpose of egg and meat.Chicken occupy 90 percent of the total poultry.

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The term poultry includes chicken,ducks,geese, turkeys, pigeons and Guinea fowls.The poultry industry with its production in the form of eggs and meat is of particular importance in providing a balanced diet for the human population.Proper management of poultry includes methods of hatching, rearing, housing, sanitation, prevention of diseases and a sound marketing system.

Silver resolution

The increase in egg production brought about the ‘Silver Resolution’ in the area of animal husbandry.There are more than hundred breeds of fowls.The fowls are classified on the basis of their utility to man.They are:

⭐meat type

⭐Egg type

⭐Dual type

Advantages of cross breeds

⚫Cross breeds lay more number of eggs

⚫The eggs produced are larger in size

⚫They yield more meat

Nutritional value

Eggs and meat are good sources of protein.Eggs also contain calcium, Phosphorus,sodium, vitamins B1,B12 and D.

Housing of birds

In free range farming,the poultry are allowed to roam around freely during the day.They are confined in a cage only in the nights.Intensive farming involves growing birds in small cages that are just large enough for them to feed and lay eggs.Animal welfare activists discourage this method as this does not provide sufficient space for the bird to move or spread its wings.

Birds that are reared for meat are also grown in large coops or houses that protect them from predators.Broilers are young chicken that are grown only for their meat.

Poultry feed

Poultry diets are composed of a mixture of cereal grains,soya bean meal,fish meal,bone meal, wheat bran, ground nut cake,barley,oats,maize,animal by product meal etc.,Trace minerals such as zinc,iron,copper iodine,Manganese and selenium must be included in the poultry feed.

Poultry disease

Poultry are often affected by diseases and attacked by predators like cats,dogs and foxes.Some of the common diseases are tick fever, tuberculosis,fowl cholera,fowl pox and flu.

Disease control

Poultry diseases can be controlled by vaccination, isolation of affected birds, improving the sanitary conditions, removing dampness through exposure to sunlight.Fewding poultry with a well balanced diet will prevent them from the developing deficiency diseases.