Central Hatchery is a prestigious institution under the Animal Husbandry Department, dedicated to supplying high-quality chicks required for various projects implemented by the State Animal Husbandry Department. These initiatives aim to promote backyard poultry farming, enhance safe egg production, and create employment opportunities for unemployed youth and women in the poultry sector. Central Hatchery plays a crucial role in society by providing a significant source of income to poultry farmers and individuals in the Mid-Kerala region.

                                 Layers are specifically raised for fertilized egg production, and the hatchery features dedicated facilities such as an incubation section, workshop, and feed compounding unit to efficiently and responsibly manage these birds and eggs, ultimately producing day-old chicks for farmers. In addition to chick production, Central Hatchery offers training programs in various animal husbandry areas to interested individuals, empowering them with the necessary skills for self-sufficiency.

Furthermore, the hatchery provides services such as feed quality analysis and specialized training in chick sex determination for students.

Year of starting: 1961

Aim of the institution:

(a) The primary aim of Central Hatchery Chengannur is the production and distribution of low-input technology day-old chicks suitable for backyard rearing, a practice extensively followed in Kerala.

(b) The institution also focuses on the production and distribution of day-old chicks of quails, various ornamental birds, and desi varieties of poultry, including the conservation of desi varieties.

(c) Central Hatchery provides proper training and advice to farmers and individuals on various animal husbandry sectors and related subjects, including the poultry sector, to support their livelihoods and entrepreneurship.

(d) It offers specialized chick sex determination training to selected students as part of the chick sexing school.

(e) The institution conducts feed quality analysis of animal/poultry feed samples from different department farms, government projects, feed compounding units, and farmers across Kerala.

(f) Central Hatchery aims to meet the poultry feed and equipment needs of all government poultry farms under the Animal Husbandry Department, Kerala.

Central Hatchery Chengannur operates across two campuses, with the main campus located in Chengannur municipality spanning 8.13 acres and an annex campus situated in Puliyoor Gramapanchayath covering an area of 3.01 acres. The institution comprises various units, including a Commercial Layer Farm unit, alongside 8 other units, all working in unison to fulfill the institution’s objectives.

The working hours for poultry farms (Commercial Layer Farm unit, Quail unit, and Fancy and Desi unit), as well as allied units such as the feed compounding factory and workshop, are from 8 am to 5 pm throughout the year. The incubation section operates round the clock, 24×7. Other units operate from 10 am to 5 pm on working days.

To ensure the quality of parent stock, Central Hatchery procures high-quality parent stock of all bird varieties from reputable state and central government institutions. Advanced technologies are employed for rearing parent stock birds, with strict adherence to regulations mandated by various authorities. Bio-security measures, including vaccinations, are rigorously implemented in the farm sections.

The fertilized eggs/hatching eggs produced are meticulously managed in the incubation section to ensure the production of healthy day-old chicks. Units such as the feed compounding factory and workshop support the farm and incubation units in egg production and the rearing of healthy chicks.

The Poultry Training Institute conducts comprehensive training sessions for farmers and the public on various animal husbandry and allied sectors and subjects. It also offers internship training for Vocational Higher Secondary students, as well as undergraduate (BVSc & AH, BSc Poultry Science) and postgraduate (MSc Animal Science) students. On-the-job training is provided to Vocational Higher Secondary students as part of their curriculum.

The Chick Sexing School offers specialized certification training for selected students in the sexing of day-old chicks. Additionally, the Feed Analytical Laboratory serves as a unit for analyzing and ensuring the quality of feed from various government institutions and farmers across Kerala.

Units working under Central Hatchery Chengannur:

  1. Poultry Farm: Established in 1961, this division focuses on rearing parent stock of Commercial layer birds (Gramasree and Kaveri) sourced from various government organizations. The farm produces high-quality day-old chicks suitable for backyard farming. These chicks undergo vaccination and are distributed to government-approved Egger nurseries in Pathanamthitta, Kollam, and Alappuzha districts. The farm implements the deep litter system and ensures biosecurity measures, including timely vaccinations and deworming.

  2. Incubation Unit: Also established in 1961, this unit conducts the hatching of fertile eggs (Commercial layer/Quail/Ornamental/Desi) using various machines. It maintains a high hatchability rate (88%), exceeding international standards. The unit strictly adheres to all norms and regulations.

  3. Quail Unit: Established in 1984, this division focuses on rearing parent stock quail birds procured from Kerala Veterinary University. Utilizing advanced technologies such as the cage system, the unit produces commercial day-old quail chicks distributed to farmers at government rates.

  4. Feed Compounding Factory: Established in 1963, the factory’s primary objective is to produce balanced, high-quality, and safe poultry feed containing all necessary nutrients for the parent stock in the farm. It currently has a capacity of around 10 tons of feed per 8-hour shift.

  5. Feed Testing Laboratory: Established in 1977, this laboratory examines and tests the quality of different poultry feed produced and feed ingredients purchased at the farm. It also analyzes animal feed or fodder samples from other government institutions and farmers to ensure quality.

  6. Chick Sexing School: Established in 1967, this school teaches the process of determining the sex of newly hatched chicks, primarily practiced in layer chicks. It offers a course on “Chick Sexing & Hatchery Management” for selected students, lasting 6 months with a fee of Rs 500/- per student. Fee concessions are available for SC/ST students, and the course provides employment opportunities across India and abroad.

  7. Workshop: Established in 1971, this unit produces various poultry equipment for use within the institution and other Animal Husbandry Department institutions. Additionally, it handles minor repair works of sheds.

  8. Poultry Training Institute: Established in 1974, this institute offers expertise training on different Animal Husbandry sectors, especially poultry subjects, for farmers and entrepreneurs through on-campus, off-campus, and online training. It also provides internship and on-the-job training for students and employees from other department farms.

  9. Ornamental Poultry Demonstration Unit: Established in 2010, This unit serves to familiarize farmers across Kerala with a variety of Desi breeds such as Thalassery, Kadaknath, and Naked Neck, as well as exotic ornamental birds including Silky, Bantam, Mille-fleur, and Polish Cap, among others. This unit introduces various Desi breeds and exotic ornamental birds to farmers across Kerala. It sells ornamental and Desi day-old chicks to farmers.

Services rendered to the public by Central Hatchery Chengannur:

  1. Sale of day-old female chicks at government rates to Egger nurseries mainly in Alappuzha, Kollam, and Pathanamthitta districts, as well as to farmers across Kerala.

  2. Sale of day-old male chicks to farmers at government rates.

  3. Sale of day-old Fancy/Desi chicks/Quail chicks to farmers at government rates.

  4. Sale of Hatching/Incubated eggs to colleges for study purposes or farmers according to need and availability.

  5. Sale of table eggs (poultry/quail) to the public based on availability.

  6. Sale of poultry manure to farmers or the public.

  7. Sale of culled birds/Sexing error males and excess males/weak birds to the public at rates fixed by the Government from time to time.

  8. Conducting a six-month duration certificate course on “Chick Sexing & Hatchery Management” for selected students.

  9. Animal/poultry feed quality analysis.

  10. Providing training/internships for farmers, entrepreneurs, the public, staff, and students.

  11. Conducting exhibitions/farm visits.

Working hours of the institution:

  • Farm units (Commercial layer unit/Quail unit/Fancy-Desi farm unit) and all allied units (Incubation unit, Workshop, and Feed compounding factory) operate seven days a week from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

  • All other units and the office function from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on working days.

Achievements and Honors:

During the 1960s and 1970s, Central Hatchery Chengannur held the distinction of being the largest hatchery across South Asia.

In the year 2021-2022, Central Hatchery was honored for achieving 100 percent expenditure of the state plan fund by the District Planning Board, Alappuzha, under the leadership of the Honorable District Collector.

Administration Setup of the Institution:

Production Manager in the cadre of Deputy Director is the technical and administrative head of all institutions functioning at Central Hatchery. The Production Manager reports directly to the Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, Kerala.

Two Assistant Directors, specializing in Genetics and Training, respectively, serve as the prime supervisory officers under the Production Manager. The organizational structure also includes Veterinary Surgeons, an Assistant Engineer, Field Officers, and a Chief Instructor, who work under the supervision of the Assistant Directors. Additionally, there are non-gazetted officers and farm laborers who work under the supervision of Assistant Directors to achieve the institution’s goals.

Organizational Setup, Staff Pattern, and Number of Posts:

Central Hatchery operates within the organizational hierarchy of the Animal Husbandry Director, Kerala. The staff pattern and posts are outlined below:

Name of Post

Sanctioned Strength

Production Manager

1

Assistant Director

2

Veterinary Surgeon

3

Feed Analyst

1

Assistant Engineer

1

Chief Instructor

1

Field Officer

2

Livestock Inspector

5

Junior Superintendents

2

Head Clerk

1

UD Clerk

3

LD Clerk

3

Clerk Typist

2

Typist

2

Incubation Technician

1

Research Assistant

1

Chick Sexing Expert

2

Chick Sexer

1

Mechanic

1

Electrician cum Mechanic

1

Lab Assistant

1

Driver

2

Office Attendant

2

Poultry Attendant

7

Night Watcher

4

Cleaner cum Watcher

1

Part-time Sweeper

5

Total Permanent Employees: 75

Current Strength: 27

Vacancies: 48

Functioning Details and Poultry Stock Numbers:

The farm section of Central Hatchery Chengannur annually produces approximately 10.5 lakh fertile eggs from commercial layer parent stocks. The current varieties of commercial layer parent stock reared in Central Hatchery Chengannur are Gramasree and Kaveri. Additionally, the hatchery produces around 3 lakh quail fertile eggs, 25 thousand Fancy fertile eggs, and 1 lakh Desi fertile eggs from their respective parent stocks each year. These fertile eggs are utilized for the production of day-old chicks. Central Hatchery alone produces approximately 9 lakh day-old chicks of commercial layer, 2 lakh quail chicks, 20 thousand Fancy chicks, and 80 thousand Desi chicks annually. Approximately 1 lakh eggs are sold as table eggs to the public.

For the parent stock, the institution produces approximately 350 tons of poultry feed annually. Additionally, around 20 tons of poultry manure are sold from the institution each year, and approximately 2.5 tons of green lush fodder are produced annually. Central Hatchery Chengannur conducts approximately 70 in-campus trainings and 10 off-campus trainings, as well as numerous internship trainings each year through the Poultry Training Institute. The Feed Analytical Laboratory analyzes around 2400 feed samples from farmers and various institutions across Kerala.

Poultry Stock Numbers:

  • Commercial layer parent stocks: Approximately 11,000

  • Japanese quail parent stocks: Approximately 3,000

  • Fancy and Desi parent stocks: Approximately 750

Contact Details: Postal Address:

Central Hatchery Chengannur

Angadical South P.O.

Chengannur Alappuzha District

Pin Code: 689122

Email: ch.ahd@kerala.gov.in

Phone Numbers:

  • Central Hatchery: 0479-2452277

  • Poultry Training Institute: 0479-2457778

Details Related to Right to Service Act:

Sale of Products:

  • Day-old chicks of commercial layer, Japanese quail, fancy and desi birds, culled birds, poultry manure, table eggs, and other products are available for sale from the farm to Egger nurseries, farmers, and the public according to demand and availability.

Free Trainings:

  • Central Hatchery Chengannur offers and conducts free trainings for the public, especially economically disadvantaged individuals, backward communities, farmers, and entrepreneurs. These trainings cover various subjects related to animal husbandry and aim to equip participants with self-sufficiency in these areas.

Internship Training:

  • The institution offers and conducts internship trainings for students from universities in Kerala. These internships provide hands-on experience in farm and hatchery operations.

Paid Hands-On Internship Trainings:

  • Central Hatchery Chengannur also offers and conducts paid hands-on internship trainings for interested individuals in various units of the institution. These trainings provide participants with practical experience and skills development.

  1. Provision of Services:

  • The institution provides services to the public as per instructions from the Government or the Head of the Department.