POULTRY FARMING

Make A Difference Project – Mid Term Progress Report

Bharath Prakash V R 2001069

Chinmai Lakshmi Koripella 2001072
Sudheer Chintada 2001073
Manasa Gunda 2001084
Parasa Lakshmi Neeharika 2001097
Timeline of Activities

The Secondary Research required for the project has been completed by going through
various articles written on different aspects of poultry farming. The collection of primary data
related to the poultry farm under study is in progress. The detailed activities under each phase
are listed below along with their status of completion.

S.No Phase Aim Activity Remarks

.

Research Type of animals reared Completed

under poultry farming

Methods of poultry Completed

farming in the country

Type of products sold Completed

Study existing
in the market
Research Papers for
Type of feed required  Completed
similar practices
followed in the Diseases affecting the Completed

country poultry and

1 immunization policies
associated

Waste generated and Completed

existing disposal
methods

Understanding the Feed procurement Completed

Supply Chain methods
aspects related to Logistics involved in Completed
Poultry Farming feed procurement and
sale of products

Demand variation and Completed

its impact on purchase
policies and sales
 Warehouse and Cold In Progress
storage facilities
required to preserve the
produce

Infrastructure required In Progress

to carry out all
operations

Upstream and In Progress

Downstream activities
of supply chain

2 Data Collection Collect information Capacity of the farm

regarding facility Type of feed used for
different products

Sources utilized for

feed procurement

Existing waste disposal

methods in the farm

Gather information Distributors and In Progress

regarding the market Wholesalers involved
in the area for selling
the produce

Price Regulating Completed

Agency

Major Challenges in Completed

Poultry Industry

Record the scale of Record aggregate To be done

purchases and sales purchase over the by 30-Jun-
done by the month 2021
organization Record aggregate sales To be done
over the month by 30-Jun-
2021
 Record aggregate To be done
labour payments over by 30-Jun-
the month 2021

Note other financial To be done

aspects involved by 30-Jun-
2021

Identify pitfalls in Identify opportunities To be done

procurement of to reduce the cash cycle by 10-Jul-
supplies or inventory 2021
management Look for availability of To be done
practices sourcing raw materials by 15-Jul-
through cheaper means 2021
3 Analysis
Analyse scope of To be done
reducing inventory by 20-Jul-
holding period 2021

Applying Operations Identify opportunities To be done

and Marketing in increasing reach of by 22-Jul-
principles to find the produce 2021
profitability of the Look for betterment To be done
methods followed and standardization of by 25-Jul-
methods followed from 2021
feeding to handling the
produce

4 Recommendations Recommend best Provide To be done

practices recommendations on all by 30-Jul-
aspects studied 2021

Provide plans to Identify changes in To be done

implement changes procedures to be by 05-Aug-
followed 2021

Provide a plan for the To be done

organization to change by 15-Aug-
 and adapt 2021

Create awareness in Reaching the place in Cancelled

neighbourhood current scenario is
difficult and hence this
aspect is removed from
the plan

The overview of the information gathered under each activity is as follows

Type of animals reared under poultry farming 

Poultry farming refers to rearing birds like hens, ducks, turkeys, geese, pigeon, fowl and
similar avian species. In India rearing chicken leads in the sector which can be broadly
classified into broilers, layers and cockerels. 

Methods of poultry farming in the country

About 74% of total world poultry meat and 68% of the poultry eggs are produced by one of
intensive or free farming methods.
Intensive Poultry Farming - It is a farmer-controlled system where the poultry is contained
in certain spaces and not allowed to move about freely in the open space. This system results
in saving space, feed, labour costs, maintenance and increases productivity. But there is a
disadvantage of increasing health risk to the birds by leaving them in confined spaces and
prone to catching diseases by direct contact.

Free Range Farming - In this system, the birds are left in large open spaces to move about
freely. This method requires proper management of the poultry to take care from external
climatic conditions, prevent disease outbreaks and handle feeding and produce.

Layer Poultry Farming Methods

Majority of the egg-laying poultry is reared under one of the methods. Commercial hens
usually begin laying eggs from when they are 12-20 weeks old itself. It becomes more regular
from 25th week onwards and almost stops after they are 70-72 weeks old. So, a farmer
usually uses the poultry for 12 months for eggs and then for meat purposes.
 1 Free Range Method - The chickens are allowed to roam freely during the day and
kept inside cages at night.
2 Organic Method - Though similar to free range farming, a smaller no. certain poultry
birds are reared and the feeding system is controlled by the farmer.
3 Yarding Method - Smaller poultry is reared along with the cattle of the farmer by
keeping all of it within a fence where the poultry can roam about freely.
4 Battery Cage Method - The most common method in the world where metal cages
that can accommodate 6-8 hens are lined and stacked in floors which allows for
rearing thousands of birds in a limited space. Food and water are supplied through
pipeline systems and collection of eggs happens with use of conveyor belts.
5 Furnished Cage Method - It is similar to the battery cage method except that more
space is provided for the birds to move about and flap their wings.

Broiler Poultry Farming Methods

The birds reared for their meat are done so under one of the listed methods. The birds can
become consumable from when they are 5-6 weeks itself based on method of farming.
1 Indoor Raising Method - The broilers are kept in large open houses with flooring of
rice hulls, wood shavings, peanut shells etc. The temperature is well maintained with
a proper ventilation system and the food and water delivery is also mechanized.
2 Free Range Method - This is similar to rearing layer birds in free range method and it
takes more than 8 weeks for them to become consumable.
3 Organic Farming Method - The birds are allowed to move about freely but their
feeding is controlled by the farmer. Their feed, water, medication, food additives etc.
are all managed by the farmer. These birds reach slaughter weight after around 12
weeks.

Type of products sold in the market

As per the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, the
products from poultry farming can be classified as below:
1 Live Poultry <=85 Gram
2 Other Live Poultry <=185 Gram
3 Live Poultry > 185 Gram
4 Other Live Poultry >185 Gram
5 Edible Poultry Meat (Fresh)
 6 Edible Poultry Meat (Frozen)
7 Other Poultry Meat Not Cut in Pieces
8 Cuts & Offal Excluding Livers
9 Eggs In Shell
10 Other Eggs
11 Egg Yolks Dried
12 Other Egg Yolks
13 Eggs Not in Shell (Dried/Cooked)
14 Eggs Not in Shell (Frozen/Preserved)

Type of feed required

A balanced diet is a must for any poultry to maximize the yield. Hence, Feed Procurement is
one of the crucial parts in management of poultry.

Feed for Layers

1 Feed for layers is given according to their age. 

2 The types of feed given to layers are:
o Brooder/ Chick mash – Given in an early stage of their life (upto 6 weeks).
o Grower Mash – From 6 weeks to the point of laying eggs.
o Pre-layer Mash – From 15 to 18 weeks.
o Layer Mash – Given to laying hens exclusively.
3 Formula for Grower Mash feed- Whole Maize, maize germ, sunflower cake,
benniseed meal. Apart from these, other micronutrients and minerals are also added.
4 Formula for Pre-layer Mash feed- traces of limestone (for calcium), salt, bone meal,
premix, palm kernel cake, groundnut cake and amino acids like methionine, lysine.
5 Formula for Layer mash feed- Whole maize, wheat bran, wheat pollard, sunflower
cake, groundnut cake, fish meal. Lime, salt and premix.

Feed for Broilers

1 The types of feed given to layers are:

o Pre-starter mash 
o Starter Mash 
o Finish Mash 
 2 In most rural areas of India, scavenging is the major source of feed for hens.
Scavenging here means converting the household leftovers and waste into valuable
and quality protein.
3 Many poultries are setting up in-house built machinery to generate feed through
scavenging.

Diseases affecting the poultry and immunization policies associated

Few diseases are so deadly that they affect the entire farm and decimate the population in that
area. One of them is Pullorum-typhoid which is now almost eradicated with the actions taken
up under National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP). Another disease which threatens the
poultry population even today is Avian Influenza, also called the bird flu. It is a respiratory
disease caused in the birds and spreads across them as per the severity in the illness.

Health Management of Poultry

1 Vaccination 
o Against viral diseases like Ranikhet, Marek’s, Gumboro.
o Against bacterial diseases like fowl cholera, infectious coryza, chronic
respiratory disease (CRD). Using Antibiotics is preferred.
o Against fungal diseases like brooders pneumonia, aflatoxicosis, thrush.

2 Parasite control
o Birds must be regularly inspected for external parasites.
o Consulting veterinarian.
3 Identifying and treating sick birds
o Remove sick chickens and other poultry from the main flock and obtain
diagnosis from a qualified person.
4 Separating multi-age flocks
o When introducing younger birds into a flock of older birds, there is an
increased risk of disease transfer from older birds to younger birds as older
birds often build resilience to diseases.
o It is preferable to run single aged flocks from a disease perspective.
Waste generated and existing disposal methods
Approximately 3.3 million tonnes of waste are generated annually in the poultry farms. This
waste includes hatchery wastes, bird excrement, bedding materials (like sawdust, straw,
peanut or rice hulls etc.) and any dead birds or produce.

Management of Manure and litter

The manure consists of feces and urine generated in the poultry. It contains organic matter
and nutrients which can be used for various purposes. 
1 Soil Amendment - Application of poultry manure improves water holding capacity
and increases lateral water movement and hence decreases the dryness of soil. 
2 As fertilizer - It helps in recycling nutrients.
3 Livestock feeding:  Poultry litter has been used in diets for lambs, ewes, lactating
cows and brood cows. 
4 Bio-Energy Production - As it contains more organic matter, it can be used for
generating Bio-energy.
Considering the above benefits, manure and litter can be processed to make it a secondary
source of income from the poultry.

Management of Feathers of hen

Feathers are also used in animal feed, organic fertilizers, feed supplements as it is made up of
more than 90% of protein and rich in amino acids.

Most used Poultry Waste Management Practices

1 Burial
2 Burning
3 Incineration
4 Compositing
5 Rendering

Feed Procurement Methods

The first source of providing feed is through scavenging methods. When these methods
become insufficient, commercially prepared feed is procured. The sources for these would be
one of :-
 1 Household Cooking Waste - The waste produced in a farmer's house and the farm
itself is used in preparing feed.
2 Cereal and Cereal by-products - Dehulled rice grains, Maize starch residue, millets,
sorghum, brewer’s grain and yeast, soybean, cowpea etc can be used for protein
supplements.
3 Roots, Tubers and Oilseeds - Dried sweet potato and oilseeds in fully-oil or partly-oil
extracted form are a source of energy and protein used in both extensive and intensive
farming methods. Sesame and sunflower seeds are also used.
4 Trees, shrubs and fruits - Neem leaves, coffee pulp, citrus pulp, over-ripe bananas and
plantain also form part of feed ingredients and have to be used in optimum levels.
5 Animal proteins - Termites, maggots and earthworms have to be fed only under
controlled conditions as they may cause infestation and unhygienic conditions.
6 Aquatic plants - Oysters, clams and shells of snails are also used in providing a
mineral content diet.
7 Commercially Prepared Feed - In most of the places, it is available in the form of
mash and in different compositions of protein that are suitable for different age and
type of birds.

Logistics of Feed Procurement and sale of products

Roughly 50% of operating expenses of a poultry farm is on feed of the chicken. It has a direct
effect on efficiency on laying eggs and growth of birds.

Besides feed, the hens are required to be vaccinated against diseases in a timely manner to
prevent a breakout. Vaccination programmes are available against the major poultry diseases
viz. Ranikhet, Marek's disease and Fowl pox. Vaccinations calendars are available on
government websites for reference based on the location of the farm.

Demand variation
The demand for eggs in Indian urban and rural sectors is not constant or linear. There are
seasonal variations.  According to a research paper published by R. Karthikeyan and V. R.
Nedunchezhian titled “An analysis of price trends and its behavioural patterns of the Indian
poultry market with reference to egg”, the wholesale egg prices in India peak in November
and December months owing to festivals like Diwali, Bakrid, Christmas etc. And also, lowest
prices were observed in the month of April. Eating and consuming eggs during hot climates is
perceived to be harmful in India which might be the reason for the slump in April. Egg prices
rise gradually after May and June months. Though, the price behaviour is uniform across the
country.

Price Regulatory Agency

The National Egg Coordination Committee NECC is the main association of the poultry
farmers in country India with more than 25,000 farmers. This agency has played a significant
role in the betterment of the poultry industry, especially the egg industry through its various
programmes like the price support operations, market intervention, egg promotion, educating,
etc. 

But their main focus remained the egg Pricing. It later slowly also expanded its scope of
operation to:

1. Based on the reasonable price for the customer, a decent margin is made sure to the
middleman with a fair return to the farmer; where it declares the egg price.
2. To monitor, manage and regulate the stocks from surplus to deficit regions.
3. Through the Agrocorpex India Limited market intervention is carried out.
4. Promoting the egg trade, farming and its exports.
5. Make availability of technology and information regarding this industry.

Major Challenges in Poultry Industry

1. Water both in the terms of quality and quantity is a major concern especially in the
rural areas; along with the electricity.
2. The poultry welfare - Banning of the usage of the conventional cages
3. The higher and the increasing cost of the feed both corn and soybeans.
4. Disease outbreaks like the Bird flu and Ranikhet.
5. Cold storage problems which are also linked to electricity.
6. Lack of the awareness of effective animal nutrition and the health problems especially
among the uneducated and the rural farmers.
7. Both the food processing and the value addition should improve in the
underdeveloped rural areas.

Data collected (Financials involved in poultry farm)

 Cost
Item Quantity Price Amount Duration
Feed and medicines 4 tons 24,700 98,800 Daily basis
Machines 3 2,00,000 6,00,000 Machine life-3 years
Feed for new chicks 56 bags 2400 1,34,400 Total cost for 18weeks
vaccination 14 per chick 1.1 1,54,000 Total cost for 18 weeks
Batch of chicks 10000 42 4,20,000 One time cost
labour cost - ladies 7 230 1610 Daily basis
labour cost - gents 3 500 1500 Daily basis

Sales
Item Quantity Price Amount Duration
Eggs 35000 5 1,75,000 Daily basis
Litter 3 tons 300 900 Daily basis
Hens 10000 102 10,20,000 For every 90 weeks