Revival of Backyard Poultry |
The recent concerns surrounding unsafe meat and contaminated eggs in Kashmir should renew public interest in agriculture and allied sectors especially backyard poultry. For generations, rearing birds at home was an integral part of local life. In earlier times, a household rooster would announce the dawn with its crowing. In fact, the cock-a-doodle-doo of the rooster served as an informal alarm and a reminder for Fajr prayers. Usually grandmother would collect fresh eggs every morning, placing a few under a broody hen to hatch chicks and maintain a continuous supply of eggs and poultry. Families living near rivers and wetlands also kept ducks and geese, which were mostly managed by women. This simple domestic cycle ensured fresh, wholesome food for households and strengthened family nutrition.
Further, poultry keeping supplemented and complemented household orchards and vegetable gardens. Birds feed on seeds, insects, and other pests, helping protect crops,........