Vol. 12, Special Issue 12 (2023)

Author(s):
Aravinda BJ, Mamatha Girish and MR Girish

Abstract:
Layer poultry farming in Bengaluru Rural features "Multiple batch" rearing and "Cage system" of housing, maintaining an average of three birds per cage. With a substantial flock size of 35,427 birds, the study focuses on large-scale commercial egg production. Farmers market birds after 72 weeks, emphasizing meat potential, and achieve an efficient Feed Conversion Ratio of 0.15. Self-preparation of poultry feed underlines the region's commitment to cost-effective and quality-controlled practices. The Value Chain Mapping illustrated the layer poultry industry's journey from production to consumption. Key aspects include strategic sourcing of Day Old Chicks, adopting efficient production practices like the "Multiple batch" rearing system and the "Cage system,", Value-added processing transforms raw eggs into diverse products, meeting consumer preferences. Eggs, central to the local diet, are staples in traditional dishes, street food, and fast food, with processed products further diversifying consumption. The success of the industry hinges on thoughtful sourcing decisions, efficient production cycles, effective marketing, and understanding local preferences. SWOC analysis of Layer Poultry Farms indicated that Layer Poultry sector create more employment opportunities over other livestock sectors. Layer Poultry farming is found to be labour intensive compared to other livestock sectors. Consumption of Layer Poultry eggs and meat exhibit an increasing trend compared to other livestock sectors. However, Layer Poultry Farming is hindered by contagious diseases compared to other livestock sectors. Layer poultry farming in Bengaluru Rural demonstrates impressive returns with efficient management, making it feasible for even small farms to achieve high production and profitability in the study area.