Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov. 12: The Department of AH&VS is intensifying efforts to enhance Vanraja chick production and distribution across the Islands. A new consignment of 5,000 Vanraja hatching eggs has been received from the Project Directorate on Poultry (PDP), ICAR–Hyderabad, and will be allocated to departmental hatcheries, including the Central Hatchery in Dollygunj, for incubation.
The resulting chicks will be distributed to farmers throughout the islands to promote backyard poultry rearing and improve household income and nutritional security. To date, the department has procured 26,190 hatching eggs against a target of 60,000 from PDP–ICAR Hyderabad, with the remaining lots to be received in phases and supplied to hatcheries for continued chick production.
The Vanraja bird, a hardy dual-purpose breed, is well-suited to local conditions, offering fast growth, good egg production, and adaptability. It serves as an ideal choice for backyard poultry farming, contributing to both food security and livelihood enhancement.