Performance Evaluation of Janapriya Chicken as an Alternative Backyard Poultry Variety under Dry land Farming Conditions of Tamil Nadu

DOI: 10.22161/ijeab.113.18

Abstract:
Backyard poultry farming contributes to rural livelihoods by providing supplementary income and enhancing nutritional security for small and marginal farmers. However, indigenous breeds often exhibit low productivity and high mortality, particularly under changing climatic conditions. This study, conducted from October 2023 to June 2024 in Pulutheri and Chinnareddipatti villages, Thogamalai Block, Karur district, Tamil Nadu, India, evaluated the performance of improved backyard poultry strains under dry land farming conditions. Two improved varieties-Janapriya and TANUVAS Star Chicken—were compared with local non-descript birds under field conditions. Results showed that Janapriya birds attained a higher body weight (1.60 kg at five months), produced more eggs annually (120 eggs), and demonstrated better hatchability (75%) than TANUVAS Star Chicken and local birds. Mortality was considerably lower in improved varieties (5%) compared to local birds (20%). Economic analysis revealed that Janapriya generated the highest net income (INR 8635 per batch) with a benefit–cost ratio of 3.98. These findings suggest that improved backyard varieties, such as Janapriya, can significantly enhance productivity and profitability in rural poultry systems, thereby strengthening livelihood opportunities for smallholder farmers in dryland areas.

Keywords:
Backyard poultry, Janapriya chicken, rural livelihood, egg production, improved poultry varieties, dry land farming

Article Info:
Received: 18 May 2026; Received in revised form: 11 Jun 2026; Accepted: 15 Jun 2026; Available online: 22 Jun 2026

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