Vol. 8, Special Issue 5 (2023)

Author(s): Sunilkumar, Vivek M Patil, Prashant Waghmare, Satish Chandra Biradar, Prakashkumar Rathod, Channappagouda Biradar and Vidyasagar

Abstract: The study was conducted to record the backyard poultry management practices in Bidar district of Karnataka State. A multistage random sampling procedure was used to select the 150 respondents in 30 villages for the study. A structured interview schedule was used to elicit the data from the respondents. The findings of the study revealed that most of the farmers reared backyard poultry in free range system using locally available materials. Generally, the adult birds were housed together during the night with little consideration of space available per bird. The farmers provided feed twice a day in the morning and evening, and birds were kept the whole day in scavenging system. Overall frequency of egg collection was found to be 1.68± 0.038 times per day. Majority of farmers did not vaccinate or provide any medication to the birds. Most farmers sold eggs and birds directly to consumer. Demand for backyard poultry and eggs was low in summers. There was also a lack of organised market facilities in the area. The overall market weight (2.06 kg) and market age (28.42 weeks) in the study indicated poor genetic makeup of backyard poultry and lack of proper supplementary feeding. The overall sale price of eggs of Rs. 12.31 in the present study varied with change in demand and prices during the festive seasons. Many of the backyard poultry farmers had a poor knowledge about the scientific housing, feeding, breeding and health care management practices.