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Exotic Hens Under Semi Scavenging Conditions in Bangladesh

Mahfuzar Rahman
Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute Savar 1341 Dhaka Bangladesh

Poul Sorensen
Danish Institute of Animal Science, 8830 Tjele, Denmark.

Hans Askov Jensen
Bangladesh Smallholder Livestock Project, Strindbergsvej 104, 2500 Valby, Denmark.

Frands Dolberg
Institute of Political Science, University of Aarhus, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A model for semi-scavenging poultry rearing has been developed in Bangladesh, which is applied with considerable success to the benefit of rural poor women. 297 landless and mostly illiterate women who participate in the Bangladesh Smallholder Livestock project acted as hosts in a field trial comprising 1272 pullets of eight breed combinations from four hatches (May August November and January) which were tested for egg production in three agro-ecological zones. The objectives of the trial were: to test a breeding system where hybrid parents are used as grand parents for female parents; and to compare the performance of different breed combinations under semi scavenging conditions. The results of the trial showed that the combination Rhode Island Red x Fayoumi had the highest egg production, lowest mortality and highest profit per hen.. However, none of the combinations produced to their genetic potential as egg production per hen-day was 35 - 40 per cent and age of first egg 32 to 34 weeks. In this experiment the effect of location was higher than that of breed combination and season. It is concluded that management aspects which account for local variation in feed available for scavenging and supplementation and reduction in mortality are important factors to address to improve the technical efficiency of the model.

Keywords: Poverty alleviation, Poor women, Semi-scavenging, Poultry breeds, Season, Location

Location: DLS Central Poultry Farm Mirpur Dhaka

Start Date: 00-00-1993

End Date: 00-00-1996

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Hen

Objectives:

The objectives of the experiment were:

To test a breeding system where hybrid parents are used as grand parents for female parents.
To compare the performance of different breed combinations under semi scavenging conditions.

Methodology:

The study covered a period of three years with establishment of the parent population in the autumn of 1993 and completion of last field trials in August 1996. Parent stock and experimental chicken Breeding for production of the chicken for the experiment was conducted at the DLS Central Poultry Farm Mirpur Dhaka with 1 259 females and 177 males of Lohmann Brown (AB) RIR WLH Fayoumi AxRIR and RIRxFayoumi as parents. Artificial insemination was performed to produce the experimental chicken of the eight breed combinations including one commercial hybrid. Eggs were hatched in four batches with intervals of eleven weeks. The chicken were reared by chick rearers. Pullet rearing Selected key rearers (Saleq and Mustafa 1997) received about 4 - 6 pullets at eight weeks of age from one particular breed combination and a small amount of feed to ensure gradual adaptation of the birds to the semi scavenging system. For the present paper records were used of a total of 1 272 pullets from 8 breed combinations placed with 297 landless and mostly illiterate rural women participating in the Bangladesh Smallholder Livestock Development Project. Primary contact with the women was by the NGO Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC). The birds were distributed to women in three districts who kept the birds until they were about 1.5 years old or had produced eggs for almost one year. At start of lay the number of pullets per key rearer ranged from 2 to 6. The birds were allowed to scavenge during the day in and around the homestead and in the neighborhood after the crop was harvested and they were kept in a shelter at night and during unfavorable weather conditions. Farm by-products (wheat bran poor quality paddy broken rice rice polishings bran of pulse crops) or household waste (leftover cooked rice and other dining and kitchen wastes) or small amounts of grain or balanced diets for laying hens were offered as a supplement either as a single ingredient or in a mixture of 2 to 3 ingredients. The birds were housed in a bamboo shelter when offered supplementary feed. There was a continuous supply of drinking water in the shelter and there was easy access during the day when they were scavenging. De-worming was done every two months. Vaccination against Newcastle and Fowl Pox diseases was according to a set program. Data regarding egg production mortality and supplementary feed were recorded twice a week by six field assistants. The protein and energy contents of the supplementary feed were calculated on the basis of book values. Supplementary feed cost (see in the appendix for prices used) and gross margin per hen were estimated on the basis of free market prices.Statistical methods Data were subjected to analysis of variance by the least square principle (SAS 1990).

Source of Information: Livestock Research for Rural Development, 1997, Volume 9, Number 3

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The effect of location in this experiment appears to have been higher than that due to breed or to season. Consequently, management aspects due to local conditions, which influence supplementary feed available, opportunity to scavenge and reduction of mortality including protection against predators, are essential elements in development of the semi-scavenging poultry model. We feel that while the present work has established the levels of production that can be expected at present with this model in Bangladesh it has raised many more questions which should be addressed in future research.

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