Chicks distributed to ryots

Tirupati: Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University (SVVU) Vice-Chancellor (V-C) Y Haribabu has formally started the distribution of Vanaraja chicks to the farmers at a cost of Rs 20 each on the varsity premises here on Monday.

Speaking to The Hans India, the V-C suggested to farmers to approach the Poultry Department in the varsity to purchase Vanaraja chicks for backyard poultry in their houses.

He further said farmers can improve their income by selling chicks and assured farming community of increasing the production of variety chicks. The SVVU had launched a poultry seed project a year ago with the financial aid of Rs 1.4 crore from the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR). Scientists of the SVVU have brought eggs of Vanraja chicks for hatching from the master breeders of Hyderabad.

The chicks were developed by varsity scientists using artificial incubator. The scientists have been working to produce more than 1,200 Vanaraja chicks. So far, 1,000 chicks are ready for distribution to farmers.

For producing backyard poultry seeds, separate sheds were provided by the Poultry Department. The new breed can gain weight up to 2.2 kg and will produce 160 eggs in its life span. In the open market, there is a huge demand for its meat and eggs.

ICAR has developed this variety of chicks to sustain the farmers financially in the villages through integrated income generation management practices like poultry, diary and cultivation.

Professor S Shakila, Head of the Poultry Department is the principle investigator of the ICAR Poultry Seed Project. She stated that the Poultry Department is constructing a permanent incubation centre to produce the high protein and other nutritious value chicken to cater the meat demand in rural areas.

Farmers can get above Rs 1,000 income by producing eggs and meat. They can also get above Rs 1,000 income on each Vanaraja hen through the maintenance of them in the backyard poultry at home.