Study on the local chicken (Deshi) rearing system under backyard farming condition in Muktagacha, Mymensingh.

Abstract

The study was conducted at the different areas of Muktagacha in Mymensingh to observe the local chicken rearing system in relation with socioeconomic status of farmers, phenotypic characters of indigenous chicken, production and reproduction performance of chicken and disease occurrences.Rural people preferred to rear the indigenous chicken, because it needs minimal care, input, resources, management and so on for their marginal income and high quality protein source, though it is a secondary matter of business of agriculture. Most of the farmer rare around 10 or 12 chicken in their house. Although indigenous chicken are poor producers of eggs near 45/year and meat, they are hardy and thrive well in the harsh rural environment. Some varieties of rural chickens has a superior genetic constitution which has not been fully explored. Poultry sheds in rural areas are made of local raw materials, birds are fed with household wastes, and most of their time is spent in scavenging. There is no systematic breeding program, and close inbreeding occurs among indigenous stocks. The average sexual maturiry is 234 days and egg weight is average 45 gm. Shortage of feed and a high incidence of diseases are the main constraints to rural poultry development. Response against the vaccine is around 60 %. In spite of such constraints, indigenous chicken production in the country will continue to grow in response to an increasing demand for eggs and meat.