Summary
This project collected information on hatching
and mortality, reasons for keeping poultry, constraints, disease
and predation. These baseline survey results are useful and
should be made available to people working in this area.
Scavenging poultry, primarily managed by women, may account for up to 80% of the income of the
resource-poor. Disease is the main cause of mortality (often killing >80% of birds within affected
flocks).
The project investigated whether feed-stuffs containing tannins,
saponins and antioxidants, in conjunction with improved housing and feeding systems, can significantly improve the health status of scavenging poultry.
In both of the districts studied, Trichy and Udaipur, predation of poultry was found to be a more important cause of mortality than disease. Given the importance of predation-induced mortality, predation prevention measures deserve greater attention from poultry research programmes and development professionals. Improved housing is the solution normally suggested, but since most predation occurs during daylight hours alternative measures are clearly required.
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| Primary Relevance |
Low - High |
| Feeding and Nutrition |
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| Animal Health |
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| Commodities and Markets |
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| Other Husbandry |
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| Policy Relevance |
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