Backyard poultry is a part of livestock among the farmwomen. However, low egg production and weight gain is the major problem in the back yard poultry. KVK conducted various programme to improve the status of backyard poultry for the farmwomen. For this purpose KVK selected two breeds of poultry, Vanraja for weight gain and egg production and Grampriya for egg production Total 180 families from selected village given 10 +1 birds of Vanraja and 100 unit of capacity 50 Grampriya for backyard poultry to up-grade the local flock of poultry. The results of the breeds were encouraging.
Though the Vanraja and Grampriya are most suitable breed for back yard poultry, they do not have habit of broodiness. There is a problem among the farmer to get a day old chick all season. This problem was solved by establishing small hatchery unit at KVK. In last 12 year KVK sold 16767 chicks to 337 farmer Every month 10-15 farmers are benefited by purchasing of Vanraja and Grampriya chicks for backyard poultry. There are 165 back yard poultry units of Vanraja and Grampriya established in the surrounding villages. Each farmer is rearing 50 to 100 poultry birds in the backyard by making small poultry house. There is a good demand and response for the chicks and eggs of Vanraja and Grampriya . Vanraja gain 2.75 to 3 kg weight within 6 months and are laying 145 eggs per year while Grampriya gain 2.5 to 2.75 kg weight within 6 months and laying 165 eggs per year. Farmers are getting double income in weight gain as well as in eggs production than local poultry birds .Market demand for these breeds increasing due to its egg and meat taste like local poultry . The concept was more appreciated by small and marginal farmers particularly farm women.