Animal Husbandry has been an important part of Rural Indian Lifestyle. Backyard chickens have been practiced since ages and have saved many families from poverty and malnutrition. Many women in rural India have also taken this up and are thriving. Recently even the urban population has showed a keen interest in raising flocks of hens, ducks, pigeons, etc.
Despite this, we have seen it that the meat and egg production rates are not as expected. Studies in this domain accord this to high mortality and low hatchability rates seen among the backyard chickens. While there are several reasons this could happen, it is important to note that with little effort we can overcome these issues.
Here are some quick tips you might find useful if you too want to raise your own flock.
- Foremost, take care to choose the right breed of chickens. Note that while making choices you need to consider the climatic conditions of your region. If you live in places that have harsh climates you could look for breeds that have high stamina.
- Do not forget to decide the breed of chicken based on your end purpose. Do you want to raise them for food or for eggs or for both? This gives you clarity and helps you make the right choice.
- Availability of water is very important. Make sure you have ample water sources in your backyard.
- Nutritional deficiency is a major reason chickens die and face several health issues. Take care to give them a proper feed that has energy, proteins, amino acids, calcium and other vital nutrients in correct proportions. Contrary to popular belief, grains and kitchen waste aren’t enough to grow healthy chickens. Your backyard might lack a constant supply of insects and worms. Remember that a good feed is the key to a healthy flock.
- The chicken coop needs to be cleaned every day and built with proper ventilation facilities. Design coops in such a way that they are inaccessible to rodents. An automatic feeder keeps your coop clean and rodent free. Remember, rodents are more attracted to food rather than the hens.
- Get your flocks checked by a vet from time to time for health issues and nutritional deficiencies.
- Never hesitate to seek advice from fellow poultry owners, vets, and government concerns. They can help with any issues or concerns.
- Keep the new poultry away from older ones at least for thirty days. This prevents spread of infections.
- You need to be aware of various symptoms of bird flu and alert about such cases in your region. These infections spread like a forest fire and need to be treated quickly. Avail vet services or the government animal husbandry team if such a situation is prevailing in your locality.
- Take necessary steps to ensure your chicks do not suffer from heat strokes or frost bites. In India, heat strokes are most likely to occur. Provide shade by growing trees and arrange water sources along the grazing area.
- Also, calculate costs and return to ensure you are earning money and not spending more than what you are getting in return. Find out about the expenses and warranty visits you buy in cash and don’t spend more than you receive as a result.
- You need to observe them and be able to read signs of distress. A sick bird might just retire to a corner and not eat properly. Being able to care for them like you would take care of a child is by far the best approach to raise these birds well. A little effort and compassion will help you master the art of raising a good flock.
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