A survey on backyard poultry farming in Leh-Ladakh region

Leh-Ladakh, India is situated at 3000-3500 m above mean sea level, where harsh climatic environment is characterized by hypobaric-hypoxia, low humidity, high UV radiation and extreme variation in ambient temperature (-20 to +30oC), which causes high-altitude stress to poultry. Hence, not much progress has been made in poultry rearing in this region, as high altitude causes high mortality and poor growth resulting in heavy loss of farm economy. The present field survey was conducted to study the farmer's choice, existing farm resources, market opportunity, and social awareness on modern poultry rearing. Hence, many villages, viz. Chuchot, Shey, Phyang, Thicksey, Basgo, Skurbuchan, Skara, Ranbirpura of Leh-Ladakh were surveyed. The survey findings indicated that few progressive farmers are practicing backyard poultry rearing which plays an important role in the rural economy and women empowerment. It was found that the average flock size reared per family was small and farmers preferred colour plumage birds. The coops for chicken are mainly made up of double walled under or semi-underground mud houses for better insulation and heat retention during winter. Shelters are provided during night, whereas pasture or open field gazing is practiced during day time even in winters. Farmers rear birds throughout summers and selfconsume or even sell them in three to four times higher price during winters when the demand is very high. Poultry farming among more farmers in more villages with help from state departments and different NGO will definitely strengthen poultry farming in this region. DIHAR (Defence Institute of High Altitude Research) a premium institute, also working in poultry science can further help these farmers in providing a complete package of basic training on management practices and even in distribution of high altitude adapted chicks to uplift farmer's interest and promote poultry farming in this region.