Sonali Poultry Farming Project Report: Incubator, Vaccination & Low-Cost Feeding

By Skumar -

Sonali Poultry Farming Project Report: Incubator, Vaccination & Low-Cost Feeding

Poultry farming is one of the fastest-growing sectors in agriculture, offering sustainable income opportunities for rural and small-scale farmers. Under the ELM AHDS-485 Poultry Production Course, this project demonstrates a practical and low-cost poultry production model using Sonali crossbreed birds, a mini incubator (100 eggs capacity), and mess/kitchen waste feeding, supported by a proper vaccination schedule.

This model highlights how farmers can reduce costs, improve productivity, and ensure disease control.

Introduction to Sonali Crossbreed

What is Sonali Crossbreed?

Sonali is a dual-purpose poultry bird developed by crossing **Rhode Island Red chicken males with **Fayoumi chicken females. It is widely popular due to its adaptability and resemblance to desi chicken.

Key Features of Sonali Birds

  • Dual-purpose: Suitable for both meat and egg production
  • Strong disease resistance
  • Better adaptability to local climatic conditions
  • High consumer preference due to meat quality

Project Overview

This project involved:

  • Rearing of 200 Sonali crossbreed birds
  • Use of a mini incubator with 100 egg capacity
  • Feeding with mess waste (rice, roti, vegetables) along with balanced feed
  • Implementation of a standard vaccination schedule

Incubator Management

Incubator Specifications

  • Capacity: 100 eggs
  • Type: Mini incubator

Incubation Conditions

  • Temperature: 37.5°C
  • Humidity: 50–60% (Day 1–18) and 65–70% (Day 19–21)
  • Incubation Period: 21 days

Key Practices

  • Eggs turned 3–5 times daily up to Day 18
  • Candling performed on Day 7 and Day 14
  • Eggs shifted to hatching phase on Day 18

Hatchability

The project achieved an average hatchability of 70–80%, depending on egg quality and management.

Feeding Strategy Using Mess Waste

Types of Waste Used

  • Cooked rice
  • Roti (chapati)
  • Vegetable waste

Feeding Approach

Mess waste was supplemented with balanced poultry feed to ensure proper nutrition.

Advantages

  • Significant reduction in feed cost
  • Effective utilization of food waste
  • Eco-friendly and sustainable

Limitations

  • Risk of nutritional imbalance if used alone
  • Spoilage risk if not managed properly
  • Requires strict hygiene

Vaccination Schedule

A proper vaccination schedule was followed to protect birds from major diseases.

 Standard Vaccination Plan

Age            Vaccine                      Disease                                Method                    
Day 1Marek’sMarek’s diseaseInjection
5–7 daysLasotaNewcastle diseaseEye drop
10–14 daysIBDInfectious Bursal DiseaseDrinking water
21 daysLasota BoosterNewcastle diseaseDrinking water
28 daysIBD BoosterInfectious Bursal DiseaseDrinking water
6–8 weeksFowl PoxFowl poxWing stab

Importance of Vaccination

  • Prevents disease outbreaks
  • Reduces mortality rate
  • Improves overall productivity

Poultry Management Practices

Rearing System

A semi-intensive system was adopted, providing both shelter and open space.

Biosecurity Measures

  • Regular cleaning and disinfection
  • Controlled entry of visitors
  • Proper waste disposal

Stocking Density

Adequate space was maintained to avoid overcrowding and stress.

Economic Analysis

Cost Reduction Strategies

  • Use of kitchen waste reduced feed expenses
  • Disease prevention lowered mortality losses

Profitability

The project proved profitable due to:

  • Lower input costs


  • High market demand for Sonali birds
  • Better survival rate

Viva-Ready Project Summary

👉
In this project, we reared 200 Sonali crossbreed birds under a semi-intensive system. A mini incubator with 100 egg capacity was used, maintaining 37.5°C temperature and proper humidity. Birds were fed with a combination of commercial feed and mess waste like rice, roti, and vegetables to reduce cost. Aproper vaccination schedule was followed to prevent diseases, and hatchability was around 70–80%.

🐔 Per Bird Feed Intake in Life 

For your project with Sonali chicken, feed intake depends on age, management, and feeding system (you used partial mess waste feeding, so total commercial feed is lower).

Standard Feed Intake (Without Waste Feeding)

Stage                Age                         Feed Intake (per bird/day)             Total Feed (per stage)
Starter0–4 weeks25–50 g~1.0 kg
Grower5–8 weeks50–80 g~1.5 kg
Finisher9–12 weeks80–100 g~2.0 kg

👉 Total Feed per Bird (12 weeks):
✅ ~4.5 – 5.0 kg feed per bird

Feed Intake in Your Project (With Mess Waste)

Since you used:

  • Rice 🍚
  • Roti 🍞
  • Vegetables 🥬

👉 Commercial feed requirement reduces by 20–30%

Adjusted Feed Intake:

✅ ~3.5 – 4.0 kg commercial feed per bird
(+ kitchen waste supplement)

For 200 Birds (Your Project)

  • Without waste: ~900–1000 kg feed
  • With waste feeding: ~700–800 kg feed

👉 This shows significant cost reduction

Conclusion

This project demonstrates a sustainable and low-cost poultry farming model using Sonali crossbreed birds, artificial incubation, and waste-based feeding. With proper management and vaccination, this system can significantly increase profitability and reduce risks, making it ideal for rural and small-scale poultry farmers. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Care and Management of Goat Shed for Profitable Goat Farming

By Skumar -
Image
  Care and Management of Goat Shed for Profitable Goat Farming Goat farming is one of the most sustainable and profitable livestock businesses in India. However, success in this field largely depends on how well you design, maintain, and manage your goat shed. A properly managed goat shed ensures better health, higher productivity, disease control, and overall profitability. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore everything you need to know about goat shed care and management—from design and hygiene to feeding and seasonal management. Also Read:  Low-Investment Goat Farming: Profitable Business Guide Importance of Proper Goat Shed Management A goat shed is not just a shelter—it is the foundation of your farm. Poor housing conditions can lead to diseases, stress, low weight gain, and reduced milk production. Key Benefits: Protection from extreme weather conditions Prevention of diseases and infections Improved growth and productivity Better breeding efficiency Reduced mor...
Read more

Chicken Diseases

By Skumar -
  Chicken Diseases (Poultry) Introduction Poultry farming plays an important role in animal husbandry. Diseases in chicken cause heavy economic losses due to mortality, reduced growth, poor egg production and treatment cost. Knowledge of common chicken diseases is essential for students, farmers and competitive examinations. Classification of Chicken Diseases Chicken diseases are broadly classified into: Viral diseases Bacterial diseases Parasitic diseases Fungal diseases Nutritional deficiency diseases 1. Viral Diseases of Chicken 1. Newcastle Disease (Ranikhet Disease) Cause: Virus (Paramyxovirus) Symptoms: Greenish diarrhea Twisting of neck (torticollis) Respiratory distress Sudden death Transmission: Air, feed, water Prevention: Regular vaccination 2. Fowl Pox Cause: Pox virus Symptoms: Wart-like lesions on comb and wattles Reduced feed intake Drop in egg production Prevention: Fowl pox vaccine 3. Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD / Gumboro) Cause: Virus Affected Age: 3–6 ...
Read more

Organic vs Conventional Goat Farming: Which is More Profitable in India?

By Skumar -
Image
  Organic vs Conventional Goat Farming: Which is More Profitable in India? Introduction Goat farming is one of the most profitable and resilient livestock enterprises, especially in India. With rising awareness about health, sustainability, and food safety , farmers and entrepreneurs are now comparing organic goat farming and conventional goat farming to choose the best system. This complete professional blog covers everything—differences, profitability, breeds, government schemes, and expert strategies—to help you make the right decision. Also Read:  Herbal Feed Mix for Goats: Improve Health, Growth & Disease Resistance What is Organic Goat Farming? Organic goat farming is a natural system where goats are raised without synthetic chemicals, antibiotics (except emergency use), or artificial growth promoters. It follows standards set by bodies like Food and Agriculture Organization and certification frameworks such as National Programme for Organic Production . Key Feat...
Read more

Complete Guide to Feeding Goats: Nutrition, Diet Plan & Feeding Tips for Profitable Goat Farming

By Skumar -
Image
Complete Guide to Feeding Goats: Nutrition, Diet Plan & Feeding Tips for Profitable Goat Farming Goat farming is becoming one of the fastest-growing livestock businesses in many parts of the world, especially in rural and semi-urban areas. Goats are known for their adaptability, low maintenance cost, and ability to survive in different climatic conditions. However, the success of goat farming largely depends on proper feeding and nutrition management . Many farmers believe goats can survive by simply grazing on bushes and grass. While goats are natural browsers and can eat a variety of plants, high productivity, faster growth, and better milk production require balanced feeding . Proper feeding not only improves goat health but also increases fertility, strengthens immunity, and ensures better weight gain. Whether you are raising goats for meat, milk, breeding, or small-scale farming, understanding their nutritional requirements is essential. This complete guide explains what go...
Read more

Biosecurity Measures in a Poultry Shed

By Skumar -
Image
  Biosecurity Measures in a Poultry Shed (Complete Guide for Healthy & Profitable Poultry Farming) Introduction Biosecurity in poultry farming refers to all practices that prevent the introduction and spread of infectious diseases within a poultry shed. Diseases can enter a farm through people, vehicles, equipment, feed, water, and even wild birds. Implementing proper biosecurity measures is the most cost-effective way to ensure healthy birds, higher productivity, and better profits . 1. Location and Shed Design Poultry sheds should be located far from residential areas and other poultry farms Choose a well-drained site to prevent water stagnation Maintain sufficient distance between multiple sheds Proper ventilation and sunlight help reduce disease pressure 2. Controlled Entry and Restricted Access Restrict entry of unnecessary visitors Maintain a visitor logbook Use only one entry and exit gate Display biosecurity warning signs at the farm entrance...
Read more