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Abstract
Family poultry (FP) production in Bangladesh comprises the production of free range scavenging chickens and ducks of indigenous origin with or without feed supplementation, various crossbreeds, particularly F1 of Rhode Island Red male X Fayoumi female and small-scale commercial broilers, cockerels from layer strains and commercial layers reared in confinement and provided commercial feeds. This paper reviews the current status of such a FP production, examines the way it is practiced and identifies its constraints and future prospects in Bangladesh. Finally, the paper concludes whether such a production system is worthwhile or an aimless journey for a developing country like Bangladesh. Family poultry works as a ‘standby generator’ in the poultry sector, particularly at times of disaster, such as a fall in the demand for beef and mutton. Rearing a fewer number (e.g. 5–10) of FP in a free range system, as in the case of indigenous birds under low input and low output systems, is economical since such birds derive most of their feed from scavenging. Interventions in terms of nutritional and/or management to augment productivity must be justified economically. Since the crossbreeds and commercial hybrids are more productive, rearing such birds as FP (100 or less) must be justified by the benefit cost ratio. It may be concluded that FP production in Bangladesh with indigenous or commercial breeds or hybrids in fewer numbers, could be made meaningful if monetary benefit supersedes the cost of production. Otherwise, it would be an aimless practise. More research is needed in Bangladesh to explore the profitability of FP of different flock sizes under different systems of management. FP with commercial hybrids is more challenging because of their small flock size which needs continuous technical support and a well planned biosecured environment.