GRAMAPRIYA

An egg producer for free- range farming

Gramapriya due to its moderate body weight and high egg yielding capacity is
more preferred in areas where egg consumption is more and also where the predator menace is high. The males of Gramapriya as best suited for preparation of Tandoori type chicken preparations. The females produce good number of eggs, under semi intensive farm conditions in rural/tribal areas. Two varieties of

Gramapriya are available i.e. White Gramapriya and Colored Gramapriya.The

white variety gives more number of eggs compared to the colored variety. The feather color of colored Gramapriya bird is mostly brown, and occasionally multiple color is also seen. Better immune competence gives the strength for the maximum survivability of this bird under RPF conditions. Because of its moderate body weight, the bird can easily escape from predators, which is otherwise a major threat in backyard. Initial brooding up to 6 weeks in nursery unit is required before these birds are let out for semi free-range or free-range management.

Performance Parameter Livability, % Age, weeks Up to 10 Up to 20 20-72 Body weight Egg color Egg weight Age at 50% egg production No of eggs 72
Promising Features Better egg production Better adaptability to backyard/free range rearing Tinted eggs Better survivability Low or negligible input cost

>95% >90% >85% 1200g Tinted 53-55g 27 weeks

15

180-200

Vaccination Schedule

Age 1 7 18 28 42

Vaccine Mareks Disease

Dose 0.20ml One Drop One Drop

Route Subcutaneous Eye Oral Subcutaneous Intramuscular

Ranikhet disease(Lasota) Ranikhet disease(Lasota)

RDK) Fowl Pox

Ranikhet disease(R2B or 0.50ml

0.20ml

*Repeat R2B at 6 months interval

Management and health cover Gramapriya chicks need brooding care during the initial 6 weeks of age. After this age, they can be let free for scavenging in the backyard. The males can be reared separately and marketed for meat purpose. The birds need to be initially habituated to return to the nest in the evening for night shelter. Night shelter should have good ventilation and should give protection from predators. Availability of plenty of clean and fresh water should be made through out the life and the bird must be vaccinated against Mareks and

Ranikhet diseases. Since the chicks are allowed to move freely in free range there is
chance of parasitic infestation. There fore periodic Deworming at 3-4 months intervals is essential. These birds can be reared under semi intensive system by housing the bird in a litter floor house, and letting loose for free range scavenging in open backyard.

Feeding
These chicks need balanced feed during the initial 6 weeks of age under nursery rearing. Since their nutrient requirements are low, alternate feed ingredients both for energy and protein can be incorporated in the diets of Gramapriya without affecting their performance (Table 10). In nurseries, chicks are reared on standard layer starter ration. For the grower birds in the second phase, besides the feed material available from free range, kitchen wastes and other kinds of grain or bran can also be provided as supplementary feed.

Gramapriya can easily pick up its food from the backyard once its learns to scavenge.
The need for additional supplementation depends on the free area available, intensity of vegetation, availability of waste grains, insects and grass seeds, etc. The male attain 1.2 kg at 12 weeks of age on broiler chick feed. Gramapriya pullets should be provided with supplemental calcium sources (i.e. lime stone, powder, stone grit, marble chips or shell grit) mixed with feed or gain during laying phase @ 4-5g/bird/day. This approach yields successful results with high rate of survivability and good egg production. The eggs laid are tinted and have fairly good size.

Table 10. Feed formula for Gramapriya birds from day 1 42d of age (%) Option Ingredient Maize Bajra Ragi Korra Soya bean meal Sunflower cake Mustard cake Til / sesame cake 1 17.6 10.00 20.0 0.0 5.0 8.9 15.0 0.0 2 0.0 0.0 18.6 30.4 0.0 12.3 15.0 0.0 3 0.0 0.0 0.0 55.0 0.0 40.9 0.0 0.0 4 0.0 45.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 25.2 4

Deoiled rice bran Salt Dicalcium phosphate Shell Methionine Lysine HCl Vitamin mixture Choline Chloride, 50% Trace Mineral Mixture Antibiotic Coccidiostat

20.0 0.50 1.47 0.80 0.09 0.05 0.04 0.10 0.12 0.05 0.05

20.0 0.50 1.64 0.77 0.06 0.05 0.04 0.10 0.12 0.05 0.05

0.0 0.50 1.68 1.21 0.02 0.34 0.04 0.10 0.12 0.05 0.05

25.0 0.50 2.0 1.21 0.03 0.22 0.04 0.10 0.12 0.05 0.05