Poultry Breed Selection

Poultry farming has now emerged as one of the growing agricultural industries in Nepal. It thus provides gainful employment and significantly contributes to improving rural livelihoods. Farmers are increasingly interested in finding profitable and sustainable ways to expand their poultry operations, driven by the growing demand for eggs and chicken meat.

Selecting an appropriate breed is one of the most critical steps in successful poultry farming. This comprehensive article serves as a guide to selecting poultry breeds in Nepal, providing insights into the best breeds, their characteristic features, productivity, and adaptability to Nepal’s diverse climatic conditions.

Over the last few decades, Nepalese poultry farming has grown from small, backyard operations to a thriving commercial industry that supports both rural and urban economies. Poultry provides a regular source of income, nutrition, and employment for thousands of Nepalese farmers.

Selection in Poultry Breeding: Importance

The selection of appropriate poultry breeds forms the very basis of any poultry venture. The breed selected will affect many important aspects of the production system, including:

• Productivity: This refers to the number of eggs laid or the amount of meat produced.
• Feed efficiency: Some animals are more efficient in converting feed into meat or eggs than others.
• Adaptability: The breeds should perform well in various Nepalese agro-climatic zones.
• Disease resistance: Healthier breeds reduce mortality rates and veterinary costs.
• Market preference: Consumer demand for meat or egg types influences profitability.

Therefore, understanding the characteristics and suitability of different poultry breeds will enable farmers to make informed decisions that align with their farming objectives.

Categories of Poultry Breeds in Nepal

Poultry breeds in Nepal have been grouped very broadly according to their purpose:

• Broiler breeds – These are raised primarily for their meat.
• Layer Breeds – reared solely for egg production.
• Dual-purpose breeds – those fitting for both meat and egg production.
• Local or Indigenous Breeds – Native to Nepal and adapted to the local climate.

Local or Indigenous Breeds(Source: Facebook)

Each category has its advantages and challenges. The following sections provide comprehensive guidance on poultry breed selection in Nepal, highlighting the best choices in each category.

Broiler Breeds in Nepal

In broiler breeds, the growth rate is fast and the FCR is high. They attain market weight within 5 to 7 weeks and are basically used for their meat.

Cobb 500

• Source: USA
• Growth Rate: Very fast; reaches 2.0–2.5 kg in 6 weeks.
• Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR): Excellent (1.5–1.8).
• Characteristics: Uniform body weight, white feathers, and good meat yield.
• Adaptability: It grows well in the Terai and mid-hill areas of Nepal.
• Advantages: high efficiency, early maturity, strong immunity.
• Challenges: It requires well-managed feeding and temperature control.

Ross 308

• Source: United Kingdom
• Growth Rate: On a par with Cobb 500; high yield of breast meat.
• FCR: 1.6–1.9.
• Characteristics: Active and strong legs with perfect meat texture.
• Suitability: Suitable for commercial broiler farms in warmer regions.
• Advantages: High productivity with consistent performance.

It requires particular growing conditions and a carefully planned diet.

Broiler farmers in Nepal primarily prefer Cobb 500 and Ross 308 for their large-scale commercial farms.

Layer Breeds in Nepal

Layer breeds are selected for laying large numbers of eggs with uniform size and quality of shell. The egg production industry of Nepal relies heavily on imported as well as hybrid layer breeds.

Hy-Line Brown

• Origin: USA
• Laying Ability: 320-340 eggs per year.
• Maturity Age: Laying begins around 18–20 weeks of age.
• Egg Color: Brown.
• Advantages: High productivity, excellent feed efficiency, and calm temperament.
• Adaptability: It grows well in the hot and cold regions of Nepal.

Lohmann Brown

• Source: Germany
• Laying Capacity: 330–350 eggs per annum.
• FCR: 2.0–2.2 per dozen eggs.
• Egg weight: 65-60 grams.
• Features: Early maturity and high-quality shell.
• Advantages: Tolerant of variable climatic conditions and easy to manage.

Of these, Hy-Line Brown and Lohmann Brown are widely preferred by Nepalese poultry farmers for their high productivity and adaptability.

Dual-Purpose Breeds in Nepal

Dual-purpose breeds are suitable for farmers who want to produce both meat and eggs. Indeed, most small-scale or backyard poultry farmers in the countryside prefer this type of breed.

Rhode Island Red (RIR)

• Source: USA
• Laying Capacity: 220–250 eggs per year.
• Body weight: 2.5-3 kg for males, 2-2.5 kg for females.
• PENTENTMONéra Hardy, easy to adapt, and disease resistant.
• Suitability: Does well in hill and mountain areas.

Australorp

• Source: Australia
• Laying Capacity: 250-280 eggs per year.
• Body Weight: 2.5–3.5 kg.
• Characteristics: Gentle disposition, good mothering ability, and adaptability.
• Advantages: Cheap feedstock, highly predictable operation.

Those breeds are suitable for farmers operating a semi-intensive or free-range poultry system, since they require less management and can be reared on locally available feed resources.

Indigenous Poultry Breeds of Nepal

Local poultry breeds have been an integral part of Nepal’s rural economy for generations. Though they produce fewer eggs and grow more slowly compared to exotic breeds, they are highly resilient, low-maintenance, and culturally valued.

Sakini

• Origin: Indigenous breed of Nepal.
• Egg Production: 50–60 eggs per year.
• Body Weight: 1.5–2 kg.
• Features: Black plumage, strong immunity, and good adaptability to hills.
• Advantages: Tolerant of diseases and harsh weather.

Ghanti Khuile

• Characteristics: Lacks a comb, black feathers, and red eyes.
• Egg Production: 60–70 eggs annually.
• Advantages: Hardy and well-suited for mountainous terrain.

Selection of Poultry Breeds in Nepal: Factors to Consider

The selection of the right breed of poultry can be made based on several factors. Some important aspects to be considered by every farmer include:

• Climate Adaptability: The diverse geography of Nepal has resulted in poultry farms in the Terai region suffering from heat stress, while those situated in the hilly areas are experiencing cold stress. Choose breeds known for adaptability to your specific climatic zone.
• Production Objective: Define your purpose: egg production, meat production, or both. Generally, broilers are raised for meat, layers are raised for eggs, and dual-purpose breeds are raised for small mixed operations.
• Feed Availability: Feed costs comprise as much as 70% of the total production cost. Choose feed-efficient breeds and those with available local feed resources.
• Disease Resistance: Prefer breeds with strong immunity to reduce mortality and, consequently, veterinary costs.
• Market demand: Understand local consumer preferences, which vary; consumers’ preferences regarding brown eggs, white eggs, or the quality of meat differ in every region.

Selection of Poultry Breed: Challenges in Nepal

However, with developments, farmers still face numerous issues:

• Poor access to quality chicks in remote areas.
• Lack of awareness about breed characteristics and management
• Poor hatchery systems result in inconsistent quality among chicks.
• Climate stress is affecting exotic breeds.
• Insufficient veterinary services and extension support.

Selection of Poultry Breed(Source: nepalitimes)

These challenges in breed performance and profitability can be considerably improved by training, regulating hatcheries, and government support.

Future Prospects of Poultry Breeding in Nepal

Hence, the next generation of poultry farming in Nepal will be characterized by genetic improvement, development of climate-resilient breeds, and production of local hybrids.

Specialized research institutions are working on:

• Producing high-yielding indigenous hybrids.
• Selective breeding to enhance disease resistance.
• Promotion of sustainable and organic poultry systems based on local breeds.

The efforts focused on making poultry farming both profitable and environmentally sustainable.

Conclusion

Success in any poultry farming business begins with selecting the right breed of poultry. This guide to Poultry breed selection in Nepal stipulates that farmers must consider production objectives, climate, feed resources, and market demand before selecting broiler, layer, dual-purpose, or indigenous breeds.

However, among the key ones for commercial production, exotic breeds include Cobb 500, Hy-Line Brown, and Lohmann Brown. In contrast, local breeds such as Sakini and Ghanti Khuile remain essential to small-scale and rural operations due to their hardiness and ease of maintenance.

Scientific breeding, combined with improved hatchery management and the promotion of locally adapted crossbreds, will further enhance Nepal’s poultry sector, leading to improved food security and enhanced livelihood opportunities for rural people.

Read More: Steps for organic chicken feed formulation