Study on rural poultry production in Meghalaya

A diagnostic survey was conducted to study rural poultry production in Meghalaya state under hill and mountainous eco-system. Fourteen (14) villages were selected from all 7 districts of Meghalaya and 25 farmers from each indentified village were target groups for studies. The informations data collected revealed that on an average 15.85±1.60 desi birds per family were reared and majority (94.57±4.47) of farmers were not satisfied with their present stock of birds. The average egg production was recorded 47.41±4.28 numbers/hen/annum. Most of the poultry farmers offered self produced cereal grains and kitchen waste in addition to day time scavenging of 6–8 hours daily. However, few farmers also kept broiler chicken under scientific management practices. The average mortality of 22.35±2.73 percent was reported and major diseases recorded were coccidiosis, salmonellosis, RD, CRD, MD and fowl pox. There was scarcity of organized market for eggs/poultry birds. The farmers sold their products in open weekly market in near by areas. The poultry farmers were very much interested to keep improved rural poultry breeds suitable to their local agroclimatic conditions.