Explore The Opportunities in The Poultry Farming Sector by Knowing The Top 5 Chicken Breeds For Egg Production In India

The poultry industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in India.  Currently, India is the world’s third-largest producer of poultry meat and eggs.  It contributes by producing about 5 million tons of chicken approximately 130 billion eggs.  This fast growth in the poultry industry can be attributed to the growing demand and awareness about high-quality protein, health awareness and benefits of protein protein-rich diet, and continuously changing diet preferences. Let us explore the opportunities in the poultry farming sector by knowing the top 5 chicken breeds for egg production in India.

Advantages of Poultry Farming in India

• Low initial investment compared to another animal farming
• 6 – 7 weeks of rearing period
• High feed conversion ratio among the Broilers
• Lesser shed area required compared to other farming
• Expected faster and better return on investment (ROI)
• Increasing demand for high-quality meat and eggs

Top Five Chicken Breeds to consider for Egg Production in India

1. CARI Priya:

• Cari Priya can lay about 280 – 300 eggs annually
• The weight of each egg ranges between 40 – 50 gms
• Cari Priya being small in size, requires a lesser shed area
• This breed is good for backyard farming
• Very good at climate adaptability

2. Upkari:

• Upkari can lay about 200 – 220 eggs annually
• The weight of each egg ranges between 40 – 50 gms
• This breed is hardy and has high adaptability to various weather conditions
• A good choice for those who are beginners in the poultry farming business
• Upkari shows good foraging abilities, resulting in lower feed costs.

3. Plymouth Rock:

• A popular choice!
• It is a dual-purpose bird – both for meat and egg production
• Plymouth rock can lay about 200 – 250 eggs annually
• Lays medium-sized brown eggs, each weighing between 45 – 55 gms
• It can adapt to both hot and cold climates
• A bit larger in size, Plymouth Rock requires bit bigger shed area

4. White Leghorn:

• Has exceptional egg-laying powers!
• Annually it can lay more than 300 eggs
• Eggs are white and medium-sized
• They can perform well in warmer climates, the one like in India
• This breed is known for being quite active, thus providing a bigger shed area is better.

5. Gramapriya:

• Being from Tamil Nadu, it is a popular choice for small-scale farmers
• One of the good breeds for backyard farming
• Gramapriya can lay around 180 – 200 eggs annually
• The eggs produced are in various shades of brown and cream
• It can survive on minimal resources and is thus known as a low-maintenance breed

After understanding opportunities in the poultry sector in India, breeds variety, let us now explore how egg production can be optimized to enhance poultry inventory in India.

How To Optimize Egg Production

Poultry breed plays an important role in egg production capabilities.  But apart from breed, a variety of factors also influence egg production. Some of such factors are:

• Poultry Feed

A balanced and nutritious diet or a wholesome diet is a key factor for the production of high-quality eggs. Apart from regular feed, poultry feed supplements can be added to enhance the feed absorption and nutritional value. Poultry feed supplement manufacturers in India are using state-of-the-art technology to produce the best feed supplements. 

Branded feed supplements come with a balanced inclusion of minerals, vitamins, proteins, antioxidants, and amino acids to provide a complete meal for your flocks.  Poultry feed supplements manufactured by India-based manufacturer – Refit Animal Care are popular for their high-quality, well-researched, and easy availability in India.  Whether you are engaged in commercial poultry farming or backyard farming, you may want to visit their website or connect with them for further information about various poultry feed supplements.

• The Shed Area

A clean, well-ventilated coop with adequate nesting boxes and a sufficient supply of clean drinking water is a MUST for you to flourish in poultry farming. Ensure that your shed area provides sufficient space to allow your flocks to move around freely.  This will help in reducing stress on them and enhance egg production.

• Lighting

It is well known that chickens are naturally stimulated by daylight hours. Thus, ensure proper natural illumination is available in the shed area and if not, then arrange for required artificial lighting to help your flocks in the laying process.

Andhra Pradesh is the top producer of eggs in 2023 -24 contributing to about 5 million eggs/day.  The top five poultry meat-producing Indian states are Bengal, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh contributing to around 50% of total poultry meat production in India. The opportunities in the poultry farming sector in India are endless by choosing the appropriate breed, providing quality poultry feed supplements, and implementing best practices. Get started to explore this profit-making industrial sector!