Behavioral Pattern Welfare Status of Indigenous Chicken in rural Communities of Bangladesh
Özet
Poultry production plays a vital role in the rural economy of Bangladesh. Indigenous chicken is one of the most important poultry species among them. The study was conducted at five Upazillas of Barishal district of Bangladesh to explore the behavioral pattern and welfare status of indigenous chicken in rural communities. Indigenous chicken considered still now the major sources of income, food security and providing unemployment for rural people. However the welfare of indigenous chicken is neglected due to lacking of knowledge and awareness among people. Major behavioral aspects such as dust and sand bathing, foraging, scratching, roosting, peeking, nesting, peek order, brooding, hen chick relationship were recorded in the study. Welfare assessment focused on housing, feeding, drinking and health condition. The results of the study indicated that indigenous chicken exhibit a wide range of behavioral pattern. Results showed that 84.5 % chicken showed foraging, 82.6% dust and sand bathing where 79.5% birds showed roosting and perching. Among social behavior 73.9 % male birds showed peck order. Brroding (81.4%) also a strong reproductive behavior of indigenous chicken. Majority of birds showed mating behavior (78.3%). Hen chick relationship (80.1) also a maternal extinct of chicken. However welfare challenges were major constraints of indigenous chicken to expressed the natural behavior. Improper feeding, drinking, housing and health care facilities were major welfare challenges. The study indicated that proper expressions of behavioral pattern and welfare can improve the production performances of indigenous chicken. Disseminating proper knowledge of rearing indigenous chicken, creating awareness among the rural people about basic welfare tolls such as improved housing, balanced nutrition, vaccination program can improved the production performance of indigenous chicken and help to develop sustainable poultry production.
