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Family Poultry Production in Bangladesh: Is It Meaningful or an Aimless Journey?

S. D. CHOWDHURY
Department of Poultry Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Family poultry (FP) production in Bangladesh comprises the production of free-range scavenging chickens and ducks of indigenous origin with or without feed supplementation, various crossbreeds, particularly F1 of Rhode Island Red male X Fayoumi female and small-scale commercial broilers, cockerels from layer strains and commercial layers reared in confinement and provided commercial feeds. This paper reviews the current status of such a FP production examines the way it is practiced and identifies its constraints and future prospects in Bangladesh. Finally, the paper concludes whether such a production system is worthwhile or an aimless journey for a developing country like Bangladesh. Family poultry works as a ‘standby generator’ in the poultry sector, particularly at times of disaster, such as a fall in the demand for beef and mutton. Rearing a fewer number (e.g. 5-10) of FP in a free range system, as in the case of indigenous birds under low input and low output systems is economical since such birds derive most of their feed from scavenging. Interventions in terms of nutritional and/or management to augment productivity must be justified economically. Since the crossbreeds and commercial hybrids are more productive, rearing such birds as FP (100 or less) must be justified by the benefit-cost ratio. It may be concluded that FP production in Bangladesh with indigenous or commercial breeds or hybrids in fewer numbers, could be made meaningful if monetary benefit supersedes the cost of production. Otherwise, it would be an aimless practice. More research is needed in Bangladesh to explore the profitability of FP of different flock sizes under different systems of management. FP with commercial hybrids is more challenging because of their small flock size which needs continuous technical support and a well-planned biosecure environment.

Keywords: Bangladesh, Family poultry production, Native chicken, Profitability, INFPD

Location: In Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Poultry, Chicken

Objectives:

To reviews, the current status of such a FP production examines the way it is practiced and identifies its constraints and future prospects in Bangladesh.

Methodology:

Before determining whether or not FP production in Bangladesh is meaningful, it is necessary to review the current status of such a production system. This is particularly important at the present time since commercial poultry farming with high-yielding strains of chicken is in operation in the country in spite of the challenges that are appearing from time to time. Free-range scavenging poultry is mostly indigenous or native birds reared by farmers in small numbers in their households under traditional management systems. Among the poultry species, chickens are the principal one, followed by ducks and a small number of pigeons, geese and quail. Poor farmers, who are not able to keep larger animals, can easily maintain a small flock of chickens or ducks within their homestead premises. Each rural family usually keeps less than 20 chickens, ducks or pigeons, either singly or in combination. The birds are reared traditionally and female members of the family usually take care of them by feeding household waste and crop residues, in addition to natural feeds (green grasses, weeds, insects, small snails, earthworms, residual grains, kitchen waste etc.) that the birds obtain through scavenging. The main feature of this production system is the low input requirement as well as the low output, however, it is still considered to be very important to the rural economy. A study on the impact of the Smallholder Livestock Development Project (SLDP) in the rural community of Bangladesh revealed that the overall socio-economic conditions of beneficiaries, their egg and meat consumption capability, empowerment of rural women in decision-making issues and employment opportunities were significantly increased after the intervention of the project. Separation of chicks from broody hens at an early age, supplementation of a balanced diet to broody hens for rapid weight gain to start the next clutch quickly and creep feeding of chicks in confinement are examples of some common interventions used to increase the overall production potential of native (desi) hens and reduce chick mortality. The growth performance of native chickens may be improved significantly if they are reared in confinement with improved feeds. During the 1990s, a bird was developed in Bangladesh by crossing Rhode Island Red males and Fayoumi females with a DANIDA-assisted development project named Participatory Livestock Development Project (PLDP). This was known as the ‘Bangladesh Poultry Model.’ A few NGOs were involved in this project. The first generation crossbred, locally known as Sonali, was distributed to enthusiastic village poultry keepers in small numbers with the objective of producing more meat and eggs than the native chickens, with the aim to generate income and reduce poverty. Cockerels constitute nearly 50% of the layer chicks produced from commercial hatcheries. These are not killed in the hatcheries; rather they are sold to interested farmers at a cheaper rate (currently BDT 15 approximately per bird). Many consumers prefer cockerel to native chickens, although the former is not as fleshy but, because of the cost, they are often utilized in festivals such as wedding ceremonies. The utilization of cockerels in smallholder FP farming helps control environmental pollution, improves nutrition, and generates self-employment and income in the rural community. The results of poultry sector studies and baseline surveys conducted by Chand et al. (2009) indicate that the total number of small (up to 3000 birds per flock) and medium (3000 to 20,000 birds per flock) commercial farms across the country is about 110,000. According to information received from the National Committee for Protection of Poultry Industry in Bangladesh, this figure came down to 75,000 in March 2011 due to the outbreak of avian influenza for the second time in the country. Although farms belonging to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) were previously concentrated in and around the Dhaka and Gazipur districts, these are now spread all over the country. Having their day-old chick (DOC) supply from the hatcheries through middlemen (dealers and agents), the SMEs are producing bulk commercial broilers and eggs. The farmers belonging to SMEs are mostly involved in broiler production (90%) having credits either from middlemen/ dealers and agents or NGOs/other organizations. Of course, credits from commercial banks, particularly during post avian influenza outbreak period, have become limited. The previous report indicated that about 50% of commercial farms had flock sizes of between 100 and 500 birds (BRAC, 2005).

Source of Information: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272011268 ( in World's Poultry Science Journal · September 2013)

Article Link (Online Journal): doi:10.1017/S0043933913000652

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Family poultry work as a ‘standby generator’ in the poultry sector of Bangladesh particularly at times of disasters like a fall in demand of beef and mutton. The recent outbreak of anthrax in the country has diverted the attention of consumers to poultry meat particularly, from native stocks. Chickens and ducks of indigenous origin are priced higher, nearly double what the exotic meat-type birds cost, for example, broilers. It may be concluded that family poultry production in Bangladesh with indigenous or commercial breeds or hybrids in fewer numbers, could be made meaningful if monetary benefits supersede the cost of production. The important outcome is profitability: not the profitability per farm or per bird, but the profitability per unit of money invested – in terms of the cost-benefit ratio. Ignorance of this fact by national planners and the absence of proper policy may lead FP in Bangladesh on an aimless journey. Research needs to gain momentum to explore the profitability of FP in Bangladesh. The WPSA Bangladesh branch, in collaboration with local scientists and the INFPD, can accelerate research and development with FP as a part of its mandatory activities: ‘education, organization and research.’ FP production with commercial hybrids is more challenging in comparison with indigenous stock because of small flock sizes that need technical support and a well-planned, biosecure environment for production.

Knowledge Management: Journal