Shortfall of chicks, deficit for layers hits poultry industry

by Elmo Leonard

A 15 percent shortfall of day-old-chicks (DOCs) for broiler breeding, and 10 percent deficit for layers, are the latest of recurring problems the Sri Lanka poultry industry is beset with.

It is consequent to the ban on imports of poultry and poultry products into the country, which keep out grandparent birds, imported mainly from UK, France and the Netherlands, and multiplied locally. Parent bird produced chicks are then incubated to produce commercial DOCs.

In 2006, 75 million broiler DOCs were sold while 5.3 million layer chicks were traded, coming out of 35 hatcheries in the island. These figures conform to the Department of Animal Production and Health, statistics.

Pullets are expected to go into laying in 22 weeks and within their lifespan of 80 to 84 weeks, lay 285 to 300 eggs per bird. Thereafter, the hen's production of eggs drops, and she becomes uneconomical to handle. At this point, the hens are sold as spent birds, and known as curry chicken in Sri Lanka. Broiler chicken, harvested in 38 to 42 days, is expected to reach a live weight of one kilogram 700 grammes, and when dressed, weigh one kilo 300 grammes.

In Ja-ela, the suburb of Colombo, dressed chicken sold last week at Rs. 310 to 320 (rupees 109 to a US dollar) per kilo, the trade said. In Nuwara Eliya, the price was Rs. 325 per kilo and Kandy, Rs. 315 per kilo. Colombo supermarkets retailed broiler chicken at Rs. 250 to Rs. 260 per kilo.

Colombo's retail price of eggs was Rs. 8 and Rs. 9 and over, the further away from the metropolis, for the capital city is the island's egg wholesale distribution centre.

Traders say that the demand for poultry products is waning, while production figures confirm it. The reason for the drop in demand is escalating prices, making products go beyond the reach of the consumer.

Chairman, All Island Poultry Association (AIPA) Dr. D. D. Wanasinghe said that the government had at times of waning bird flue scare, allowed the importation of grandparent stock and some safe measures must be adopted to replenish local breeder stocks. Such stocks are bred and produced by reputed organisations in Europe and the USA.

The high cost of poultry products is consequent to Rs. 37 per bird, average, paid as Value Added Tax. Also, 20 percent cess paid on imports of maize.

Fifty percent of poultry feed in Sri Lanka comprises maize. Maize sells in Colombo at Rs. 35 per kilo, and rice is often lesser in price in the local market. Eighty percent of poultry COP is feed.

The 1,700-member AIPA thus appeals to the government to seriously appraise the local poultry industry. For the industry is credited with an investment of Rs. 180 billion, including poultry farms, freezing plants, transport lorries and the like, employing 75,000 farmer families and 100,000 input suppliers. It is an ideal small industry for expansion, and simultaneous employment. Also the industry pays annual taxes of Rs. 80 million.

[email protected]