Feeding and Natural Incubation Practices of IndigenousChickens in Kannur and Kozhikode Districts of Kerala, India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/ijvsbt.21.5.11Keywords:
Feeding, Management practices, Native chicken, Natural incubationAbstract
A survey was conducted among native chicken farming households in Kannur (n=21) and Kozhikode (n=43) districts of Kerala, India, to document feeding and natural incubation practices. The findings revealed that 47.62% of farmers in Kannur and 30.23% in Kozhikode did not provide supplementary feed, while others mainly offered paddy or rice for nutritional and behavioural purposes. Feeding was typically practiced at noon or evening, with most Kannur farmers providing less than 10 g per bird per day, compared to 10–20 g in Kozhikode. Drinking water was not provided by 47.62% of Kannur farmers and 39.53% of Kozhikode farmers, whereas the others used well water served in coconut shells or steel utensils. Plastic cans and rubber baskets filled with sand were the common nest box choices. Farmers generally incubated 9–12 eggs per broody hen, achieving hatchability rates exceeding 60%. Overall, the study highlights that indigenous chickens require minimal care for feeding and watering due to their scavenging ability, while natural incubation practices ensure satisfactory hatchability across both districts.
Downloads
References
Alders, R.G., Dumas, S.E., Rukambile, E., Magoke, G., & Maulaga, W. (2018). Family poultry: Multiple roles, systems, challenges, and options for sustainable contributions to household through a planetary health lens. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 14, e12668.
Chebo, C., Betsha, S., Sisay, A., & Melesse, A. (2024). Current prospects of husbandry and breeding practices of chickenpopulations rearing in rural communities: For sustainable improvement interventions. Advances in Agriculture, 2024, Article ID 1331983, 18 pages.
Churchil, R.R. (2022). Growth, structure and strength of Indian poultry industry: A review. Indian Journal of Poultry Science, 57(1), 1–10.
Das, S.C., Chowdhury, S.D., Khatun, M.A., Nishibori, M., Isobe, N., & Yoshimura, Y. (2008). Poultry production profile and expected future projection in Bangladesh. World’s Poultry Science Journal, 64, 99–118.
Franzoni, A., Gariglio, M., Castillo, A., Soglia, D., Sartore, S., Buccioni, A., Mannelli, F., Cassandro, M., Cendron, F., Castellini, C., Bittante, G., & De Marchi, M. (2021). Overview of native chicken breeds in Italy: Small-scale production and marketing. Animals, 11(3), 629.
Kefale, D., & Mitiku, T. (2023). Assessment on backyard chicken feeding practices and health management in Fogera district, Amhara region, Ethiopia. Acta Entomology and Zoology, 4(1), 48–54.
Kugonza, D.R., Kyarisiima, C.C., & Iisa, A. (2008). Indigenous chicken flocks of eastern Uganda: I. Productivity, management, and strategies for better performance. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 20(9), Article #137.
Kumar, P.G., Churchil, R.R., Jalaludeen, A., Narayanankutty, K., Peethambaran, P.A., & Praveena, P.A. (2016). Egg production and certain behavioural characteristics and mortality pattern of indigenous chicken of India. Animal Genetic Resources, 59, 27–36.
Kumar, P.G., Churchil, R.R., Jalaludeen, A., Narayanankutty, K., & Kannan, A. (2013a). Carcass characteristics of Tellicherry chicken raised under extensive production system. Indian Veterinary Journal, 90(6), 71–73.
Kumar, P.G., Churchil, R.R., Jalaludeen, A., Narayanankutty, K., & Kannan, A. (2013b). A survey on village chicken production in Kerala state of India. World’s Poultry Science Journal, 69(4), 917–930.
Kumar, P.G., Churchil, R.R., Jalaludeen, A., Narayanankutty, K., & Kannan, A. (2013c). Egg quality and hatchability characters of Tellicherry chicken reared under extensive system of management. Indian Journal of Poultry Science, 48(2), 265–268.
Kumar, S., & Kumar, D. (2007). Local Hill Fowl of Uttarakhand State. Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pant Nagar, Uttarakhand State, 5p.
Loengbudnark, W., Chankitisakul, V., Duangjinda, M., & Boonkum, W. (2024). Sustainable growth through Thai native chicken farming: Lessons from rural communities. Sustainability, 16(17), 7811.
McAinsh, C.V., Kusina, T., Madsen, J., & Nyonji, O. (2004). Traditional chicken production in Zimbabwe. World’s Poultry Science Journal, 60, 233–245.
Rodriguez, C.M., Barrameda, R.B., Nicolas, R.M., Raguindin, M.R., & Pastor, C.D.A. (2023). Feeding management of native chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in the Ilocos Region, Philippines. Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences, 22(5), 126–133.
Roy, B.C., Ranvig, H., Chowdhury, S.D., Rashid, M.M., & Faruque, M.R. (2004). Production of day-old chicks from crossbred chicken eggs by broody hens, rice husk incubator and electric incubator, and their rearing up to 6 weeks. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 16, 1–8.
Shimmura, T., Maruyama, Y., Fujino, S., Kamimura, E., Uetake, K., & Tanaka, T. (2015). Persistent effect of broody hens on behaviour of chickens. Animal Science Journal, 86(2), 214–220.
Singh, M., Mollier, R.T., Paton, R.N., Pongener, N., Yadav, R., Singh, V., Katiyar, R., Kumar, R., Sonia, C., Bhatt, M., et al. (2022). Backyard poultry farming with improved germplasm: Sustainable food production and nutritional security in fragile ecosystem. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 6, 962268.
Tantia, M.S., Khanna, K., Vijh, R.K., Vij, P.K., Singh, G., & Ahlawat, S.P.S. (2006). Chicken Breeds of India – Ankleshwar. Leaflet 37. National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, P.O. Box 129, Karnal, 132001, India.
Tantia, M.S., Vijh, R.K., Vij, P.K., & Ahlawat, S.P.S. (2005). Chicken Breeds of India – Ghagus. Leaflet 22. National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, P.O. Box 129, Karnal, 132001, India.
Vij, P.K., Tantia, M.S., Anil Kumar, K., Vijh, R.K., & Ahlawat, S.P.S. (2007). Chicken Breeds of India – Tellichery. Leaflet 42. National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, P.O. Box 129, Karnal, 132001, India.
Vij, P.K., Tantia, M.S., Vijh, R.K., & Ahlawat, S.P.S. (2005). Chicken Breeds of India – Danki. Leaflet 23. National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, P.O. Box 129, Karnal, 132001, India.
Vijh, R.K., Roy, T.C., Vij, P.K., Tantia, M.S., & Ahlawat, S.P.S. (2005). Chicken Breeds of India – Miri. Leaflet 2. National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, P.O. Box 129, Karnal, 132001, India.
Zalal, F.B., Sarkar, P.K., Sultana, M., Kawsar, M.H., & Fouzder, S.K. (2023). Natural incubation and broody hen management practices in Barishal district, Bangladesh. Advances in Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 11(2), 189–195.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Indian Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Biotechnology
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
