In a bid to encourage farmers to rear local poultry breed, the Pema Gatshel Livestock Sector opened a mini hatchery unit in Khenadrang Village under Zobel Gewog last year.
The unit produces hundreds of pullets and cockerels of local poultry breed every month. Since July last year, it has supplied four batches of local breed chicks to the Regional Livestock Development Center in Kanglung, Trashigang.
Livestock officials said, today, most people who are into commercial poultry farming opt for imported farm chicks. They added such practice might lead to decline in local poultry breed.
However officials clarified that taking up commercial farming of local poultry breed is lucrative for its products fetch better prices. Also, a study by the Regional Livestock Development Center discovered that local breeds are more convenient to rear than the imported ones.
“The tastes of farm eggs and local one are different. Add to this, it is of less hassle to feed the local breeds and they are not easily susceptible to diseases,” said a Livestock Programme Officer, Regional Livestock Development Center in Kanglung, Tshewang Jamtsho.
At the moment, the mini hatchery unit is being operated from a temporary shelter. The Dzongkhag Livestock Sector is exploring a suitable location to construct a permanent structure.
