Backyard poultry farming and production are simple, less sophisticated, and need less skills and inputs. Although production is low, such family poultry units can directly contribute to their nutrition and income. This traditional poultry production system of rearing a few hens in their backyard is very popular among the villagers because of its low cost and ease of management. Even uneducated or poorly educated rural women can run such units in their backyards profitably.
CORD initiated a scheme where selected Self-Help Group women were provided with 10 indigenous type birds of 3 month old to setup small backyard poultry units as a pilot project. Since the bird are of indigenous type they are resistant to diseases and well adapted to harsh conditions. They can survive and produce without any expensive commercial feeds. The birds scavenge in the vicinity of the house and are provided with household refuse and other agricultural by products during the day time and night shelter is provided in a simple cage.
Although the eggs production is much less than the commercial breeds, the eggs produced are effectively ‘organic eggs’ and command a premium price. This has helped the poor families to earn around Rs.2000 a month and contributed towards reducing malnutrition in the families.
After monitoring the success of the pilot project for one year, a second batch of birds was provided to those families who had maintained their units well. CORD is planning to expand the initiative and help the women to build up their poultry units. If funds are available more and more families could be assisted to build up their poultry units to supplement their income.
