Trichy :

Due to changes in lifestyle, the country chicken ‘naatu kozhi’, once a common sight, has largely vanished from the homes in the state.

It has been replaced by the juicier, cheaper and more easily available broiler chicken. However, country chicken varieties are slowly making a comeback in the district, thanks to the efforts of the department of animal husbandry.

Under a scheme to boost country chicken breeding, the department is providing individuals and women self-help groups (SHGs) money and other incentives.

It enables eligible applicants to get Rs 1,29,500 for every unit of native chicken breeding. One unit consists of 750 chickens, which will be given in three dues of 250 each.

Half the money would be provided by banks, which has to be repaid later. The state government and the national bank for agriculture and rural development (NABARD) will provide 25% each of the total cost.

The beneficiaries have to set up a shed and lights to create an atmosphere conducive for chicken breeding. For 2014-15, 160 people are receiving the units, worth Rs 2,07,20,000.

The number of beneficiaries in 2013-14 and 2012-13 were 240 and 35 respectively, with a total cost of Rs 2,80,80,00 in 2013-14 and Rs 40,95,000 in 2012-13.

Unlike broiler chicken, which has been said to create health problems in the long run, country chicken is bred in natural circumstances. Under the scheme, the chickens are fed with greens for healthy rearing. It takes around 75 days for a chicken to attain its full growth of 1.5 kg. Each kilogram of country chicken costs around Rs 300.

District collector Jayashree Muralidharan said that the scheme had benefitted a lot of women and it gave an impetus to rear country chicken.

Dr R Mohanarangam, joint director, department of animal husbandry, said that immunization drops were provided to the country chickens to protect them from diseases.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Trichy / December 09th, 2014