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Poultry Production in Nepal: Characteristics, Productivity and Constraints

Article  in  International Journal of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology · June 2017

DOI: 10.3126/ijasbt.v5i2.17616

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DOI: 10.3126/ijasbt.v5i2.17616

Research Article

Poultry Production in Nepal: Characteristics, Productivity and Constraints

Rajani Osti1, 2*, Dinesh Bhattarai1, Harshika Chaudhary2 and Virendra Singh2
1Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University, Nepal.
2College of Agriculture, G.B. Pant University, Uttrakhanda, India
*Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]

Abstract
Poultry farming is integral part of agriculture in Nepal. The objective of this research was to analyze the prevailing production
constraints, characterization of poultry farming and its economic analysis using questionnaire-based survey and on-site
investigation. 180 farms were selected from 3 major districts. Garrett’s ranking technique was used to analyze the constraints.
Highly significant difference (P<0.01) in size of poultry farm was found. We found significant difference in feeding, housing
and drinking system for the chicken. Un-organized chicken marketing channel was observed in the study area. High chicks’
mortality, wastage of feed, insecure vaccination and frequent drop in egg production were characteristic of laying hens.
Newcastle disease and Chronic Respiratory Disease were acknowledged as the biggest constraint of chicken production.
Government and concerned agencies need to take active part for the extension service to strengthen the health of chicken and
organized marketing channel is essential for selling of poultry products which can improve the profit to the farmers.

Keywords: disease; Nepal; family poultry; management; Garrett’s ranking

Introduction nutritional security, livelihood, regional balance, gender

Poultry products like egg and poultry meat has been mainstreaming, and rural poverty alleviation (ILO, 2004).
recognized as the fastest way to fulfill protein supply to Nepal has biodiversity of topography of land and climates
human in shortest run. FAO has recommended the average where livestock farming exists in all the regions including
intake of protein by an individual should be around 65 gm poultry farming however most of the farmers raise small
per day of which more than 50% should be from the animal numbers of livestock in small land holdings (Pradhanang et
source (FAO, 2009). Poultry industry has been increasing al., 2015). There is about 47.96 million fowl population in
rapidly with well-equipped housing system in most of the Nepal with 28.3% laying hen, which produces 887.24
developed countries. Least developing countries has many million table eggs. Average annual growth rate of hen egg
marginal poultry farmers with small scale of farming as production has been 2.43% during last ten years (Osti et al.,
their business for livelihood (Alders and Pym 2009). Data 2016). Chitwan, Kathmandu and Kaski are the major
indicate that many poultry farming in the world follow the district with higher number of poultry farms in Nepal
conventional method of rearing the poultry in developing (MOAC, 2014), we used these three districts to characterize
countries (Gueye, 2009; Sonaiya and Swan, 2009). Indeed, and evaluate the constraints of egg laying chicken farming.
the farmers face the problem of poor production and No study is done to compare the flock characteristics and
reproduction performance, disease and mortality (Conroy et production constraints in Nepal. Nepal has history of
al., 2005). poultry farming as a business since 1980 however, the
Nepal has two-third of the population directly engaged in expected achievements in the farming system has not yet
agriculture that contributes for 34% of national GDP (Gross been achieved. Finally this study was aimed to described the
Domestic Products) of which 15% is from livestock sector flock characteristics, productivity, identify the core
(MOAC, 2014) In most of the developing countries constraints in poultry farming and marketing and overall
livestock farming plays important roles in human food and evaluation of the poultry business in Nepal.

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R. Osti et al. (2017) Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 5(2): 222-226

Materials and Methods MS-DOS. Multiple regression analysis was done to study
the socio-economic impact of poultry farming. To study the
Study Area and Sampling effect of different constraints on poultry farming
Three areas having high density of poultry population of parameters, data were analyzed by Least Square procedure
Nepal viz Chitwan, Kathmandu valley and Kaski were (Harvey, 1990) statistical software package. Statistically
selected for the study purpose by simple random sampling significant means were compared using DMRT computer
technique (MOAC, 2014). Currently livestock pattern is software package. Data on flock composition and
changing from household sustainable level to performance were analyzed using the General Linear Model
commercialization both in poultry and dairy sectors. These (GLM) procedure of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and t-
districts differ in terms of land topography, climate, weather test.
and population density however holds more than 30% of
total poultry population of the country (CBS, 2014). Survey Results and Discussion
was carried out in November and December 2014. A Multi-
Socio-Economic Characterization of Poultry Farmers
stage sampling procedure was applied for the study. 60
Characterization of the poultry farmer’s socio-economic
farmers were chosen randomly per districts irrespective of
value was analyzed that included their age, education, size
the size of the farm. This sampling frame resulted into 180
of the farm, family members and access to veterinary
households engaged in the entire study.
services. We categorized the age as less than 30years, 30 to
Data Collection 50 years and above 50years. Similarly, we categorized the
Data was obtained from the personal interview with the level of education as primary, intermediate and higher
individual farmers. A pre-tested semi-structured education (graduation). We classify the veterinary services
questionnaire was made to obtain survey data. 180 as none, moderate and easily accessible to farmers. The
individual farmers were individually interviewed. During experienced in poultry farming was classified as less than 5
the interview, all the information’s were asked in the details. years, between 5-10 years and above 10 years. Finally, we
Farmers’ participatory method was used among farmers for classified the family size as less than 2; between 2 to 5 and
discussion and ranking some parameters to obtain above 5 in number.
qualitative data. The flocks, feeding and watering methods
We found the significant difference in farmers’ age and
and the designed for the poultry housing, the feed store and
experience (P<0.05) as 12.21 % of the respondent are less
egg store room, affiliated environment etc. were personally
than 30 years of age, 52.23% fell within the age range of
observed by the researchers and finally qualitative data was
31-50 years, 35.57% fall within age 50 above. About 28.1%
obtained
of the respondent had less than 5 years of experience, 25.0%
Garrett’s Ranking Technique for the Study of Problems had 6-10 years of experience, 18.0% had 11-15 years of
The examination of constraints faced by layer raising experience and 28.33% had more than 15 years of
farmers in the production and marketing of eggs is one of experience in poultry egg production. Highly significant
the important aspects of research from policy point of view difference was found among the farm size and farmers’
and hence this was specified as fifth objective of the study. level of education (P<0.01) as 55% of the farmers were
Garrett’s ranking technique was used to analyze the rearing less than 3000 laying birds, 30% farmers were
constraints. The sample farmers were asked to rank the rearing 3000-10000 birds and 15% were rearing above
given constraints in production and marketing of eggs. 10000 birds. Majority of the respondents were educated
Ranks given by the farmers were converted to the percent with 77.78% having tertiary education. 13.88% had
position by using the following formula which was again intermediate and 8.33 have primary education. Analysis
converted to scores by referring to table given by Garrett revealed that there was no significant difference in the level
and Woodworth. of accessing veterinary services, size of the family and
male-female ratio (Table 1).
100 ( R ij - 0.50 )
Percent Position   100
Nj Production Characteristics Egg Laying Chickens
We analyzed the various production characteristics of the
laying birds and found that chick’s mortality till 8 week of
Where,
the chicken was highly significant (P<0.01) to different
Rij = Rank given for ith item by jth individual study area. The size of the farm, days for peak laying, total
Nj = Number of items ranked by jth individual egg production per hen per cycle was found significant to
the different study area (P<0.05). The characteristics like
Data Management and Analysis
age at first lay, Peak hen day production was found higher
Data collected in this study were entered, cleaned, and
in Kaski but not different significantly (Table 2).
coded using MS-Excel and they are converted into Text

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R. Osti et al. (2017) Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 5(2): 222-226
Table1: Multiple regression analysis showing the socio-economic factors
influencing poultry egg production among farmers
Variables Coefficients Std. Errors t-value P-value
Age 0.876 0.03 2.431 0.041ᵇ
Level of Education 56.221 11.50 0.549 0.001a
Experienced 41.119 2.12 1.343 0.012b
Access to veterinary service 19.771 9.09 1.33 0.111
Size of the farm 0.19 0.002 3.412 0.001ª
Family members 0.021 0.001 8.212 0.104
Family (Male: Female) ratio 1.1 1.22 0.919 1.091
ª/ªᵇ significant at 90% level
ͣ ᵇ ͨ significant at 95% level

Table 2: Productive performance of egg laying chicken

Parameters Study area Overall mean P-value
Chitwan Kathmandu Kaski
Average size of the farm 4544±11.34 1820±15.65 1209±22.31 2693±19.06 0.02b
Chick’s mortality till 8th week (%) 14.03±1.22 10.41±1.56 8.41±1.63 11.21±1.12 0.002a
Age at first lay (day) 122±1.31 126±1.44 127±2.33 126.3±2.98 1.53
Peak hen day production (%) 92.08±1.11 94.33±1.34 96.02±1.54 95.33±1.36 0.51
Days for peak egg laying 36±3.22 15±3.33 22±3.43 26.23±3.67 0.33
Total egg production/hen/crop cycle 222±14.44 210±23.33 209±19.88 316.1±15.55 0.43
ª/ªᵇ significant at 90% level
ͣ ᵇ ͨ significant at 95% level
organized as compared to the chicken selling. The egg
Housing and Feeding Management
association (from each study area) has fixed the ceiling
The housing and feeding management was significantly
price and bottom price for the farmers and traders. We
(P<0.01) different in the study area. Few modern poultry
found almost similar farm-gate price rate of the egg within
had automatic feeding management system while majority
individual study area however comparing to one study area
of the farm had semi-automatic system of feeding and very
to another, the price was significantly different (P < 0.05).
few had manual feeding scheme to the birds (Table 3).
The price of the egg in Kathmandu valley was highest and
Regarding the water intake, all the birds were provided 24
price in Chitwan was the lowest (Table 4). The major cities
hours water and libtum. 83% of the farmhouse were
in the study area were terminal markets where birds
constructed with bricks and cement and good ceiling
collected from study area centers were sold. Birds were
(P<0.05). Few house constructed with wooden materials or
transported by trucks with crates tied on top with bags and
bamboo materials. The poultry shed and the farmer living
sacks of grains frequently exposed to accidents and deaths.
house was in the same location in 60% samples. Around
62.3% farmers used rice husk and wood dust as litter Chicken Mortality and Its Analysis
materials while rest housed were caged system (P=0.51). We found majority of the egg lying chicken mortality in the
All the shed were open housed. Proper housing for poultry study area at before the age of 8 week (P<0.01). This finding
provides better environmental impact and provides was similar to the previous report of Dessie and Ogle
adequate ventilation to the birds and overall comfort to the (2001), who indicated 40-60% of chicks’ mortality in the
laying birds (Yakubu 2010). first 8 weeks of life mainly as a result of disease and
predation. We found the Newcastle Disease (ND) and
Marketing
Chronic Respiratory Disease (CRD) were the major disease
Most of the marketing chain in the poultry sector was
prevalent in the study area. ND was responsible for majority
observed as informal practice. Both eggs as well as chicken
of death (Table 4) however, very little death was observed
were sold to the final consumer via middle trader or broker.
in CRD. Indeed, CRD was the major cause for decrease egg
The practice of organized middle trader was found in all the
production (P<0.05). The second reason for the chicken
study area. Some 22% of live sales were made between
mortality was piling due to attack attempt of predators.
farmer and consumer, and 78% from farmer to trader.
During the dry season, the problem of predators was
Middle man usually collected the birds from the farm and
twofold. However, some predators like wild cats are
supplied it to another sub-middle man prior to actual
problem during wet season. Snakes and dogs were also
consumer. So there existed 4 stage trading chain for selling
been identified as contributor of poultry losses.
chicken. However the marketing of the egg was found a bit

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R. Osti et al. (2017) Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 5(2): 222-226

Table 3: Housing and feeding analysis

Variables coefficient Standard error t-value P value
Birds Feeding system (automatic vs manual) 1.21 0.11 1.11 0.002a
Housing System (cemented vs wooden) 3.33 1.22 2.32 0.03b
Litter materials used 5.98 1.24 0.43 0.51
Farm and owner housing 11.34 4.42 2.32 0.33
ª/ªᵇ significant at 90% level
ͣ ᵇ ͨ significant at 95% level

Table 4: Egg price, egg production and disease impact analysis

Parameters Study area Overall mean P-value
Chitwan Kathmandu Kaski
Egg price (farm gate price) 10.02±1.34 14.44±0.65 13.01±1.31 12.04±1.06 0.02b
Disease (ND+CRD)* 71.66±0.34 43.33±0.84 31.66±1.31 48.18±1.11 0.04b
Egg loss by ND 3.44±1.31 2.56±0.45 3.13±0.33 2.93±1.98 1.53
Egg loss by CRD 11.08±1.11 9.33±1.34 6.02±0.54 7.33±0.22 0.03b
ª/ªᵇ significant at 90% level
ͣ ᵇ ͨ significant at 95% level
*prevalence study was performed by asking the persistence of outbreak of disease if every month as sub clinical form/milder
form

Knowledge of Medication and Vaccination Conclusions

Farmers were asked to disclose the methods of treating The output of this research showed that poultry business is
various disease and vaccination schedule. Major focus was one of the major agricultural practices in Nepal, however it
given for ND and CRD vaccination as these two diseases has major constraints that lower the optimum productivity
were most prevalent in the study area. No significant of the egg and cause higher mortality in the birds. Technical
difference was observed between the farmers and within knowledge of the housing system, disease control and
different study area about the methods of treating ND and husbandry in general is lacking in poultry farming farmers.
CRD (P=0.91). Their responses were that they had a Government and concerned agencies need to take active
treatment regime specific for ND according to the part for the extension service to strengthen the health of
management guide of the breeding company. Use of chicken. Also it is recommended that well based and
common antibiotics was based on the farmer’s individual organised marketing channel is essential for selling of
judgment and analysis of the disease and flock condition poultry products. Farmers are advised to consult veterinary
rather than consulting with veterinary doctors. We found the doctors for the health issue of the birds and advised further
excessive use of antibiotics in treatment of disease through to avoid the excessive use of antibiotics. Since ND and CRD
feed and water, however, the treatment regime was still were prevalent in all the study area as major health issue, an
found debatable among the individuals. in-depth analysis of these two diseases should be carried out
in future to explore the cause of morbidity and mortality.
Farmers were also asked to express their knowledge about This would considerably reduce the losses and maximize
poultry vaccines. Most of the respondents had experienced the returns to the farmers.
their birds to vaccine against ND at different age of the
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