Analysis of Backyard Chicken Farmers Socio-Economic and Management Practices in District Quetta, Balochistan

Socio-economic profile of backyard poultry farmers beside the prevailing management practices and flock profile was studied in nine union councils of District Quetta Balochistan; from November, 2016 to March, 2017. Primary data was collected from 99 households randomly selected from study area by using semi-structured questionnaire, while descriptive statistics were used to conclude the data. Study revealed that women were the only prevailing gender (100%) involved in rearing of backyard chicken in the area. Maximum (53%) number of respondents were in the age group of > 40 years, while more than half (58%) of poultry keepers were illiterate. Backyard poultry farming was much popular (79%) in house wives, whereas 75% of them were responsible for primary support of their household. Pashtoon ethnicity was the major (40%) group of respondents. 58% of the respondents reported a family with 10–20 members. 90% of the farmers provided shelter to their birds, made from mud and thatch (kacha). 80% of these birds were fed on kitchen waste and bread remnants. Average flock size was 27 birds, having 48% Desi (Indigenous chicken), 27% Fayoumi, 12 % Rhode Island Red (RIR) and 13% cross bred birds. Flocks were comprised of adult hen (71%), cock (15%) and chicks (14%). Annual egg production was 4190±171 eggs with 217±2.4 eggs produced per bird, whereas the average number of eggs consumed per family was 1314±48 eggs. Backyard poultry rearing offers a real opportunity to alleviate poverty and gender empowerment. The farmers should be further trained to improve the current feeding and management practices of these birds.