A proven production model is described, which is capable of producing an income from a small acreage of equal or superior to that of off-farm jobs.

Traditionally poultry is found in many communities the world over and can be, with adequate support, training and investment, a viable commercial enterprise for many small-scale farmers. Poultry can provide for a good source of nutrition for the farm family and an income source, which does not depend on the harvest cycle common to crops. The booklet is aimed at raising awareness and promoting poultry as a business to all those who are involved in supporting small-scale farming and rural development in general.

This publication is part of a series which seeks to raise awareness amongst policymakers and agricultural support services in low and middle income countries about sustainable income generation opportunities for small-scale farmers and local communities. It contains guidance on the keeping of poultry, and topics discussed include: the history of domestic poultry production, its contribution to sustainable rural livelihoods, key components of rural poultry production, diversification and intensification issues, utilisation of poultry products. It includes examples of case studies of poultry production schemes in Bangladesh, South Africa, Guatemala, Cambodia and the Philippines.

This technical guide promotes sustainable small-scale, family based poultry production. It gives a comprehensive review of all aspects of small-scale poultry production in developing countries and includes sections on feeding and nutrition, housing, general husbandry and flock health. Regional differences in production practices are also described. The guide provides the technical and scientific building blocks needed to develop sustainable programmes for small-scale poultry production. It will be of practical value to those keeping or planning to keep poultry and as a valuable technical reference for poultry specialists, researchers, students and those interested in broader rural development issues. Contents Chapter 1: Introduction; Chapter 2: Species and Breeds; Chapter 3: Feed Resources; Chapter 4: General Management; Chapter 5: Incubation and Hatching; Chapter 6: Health; Chapter 7: Breed Improvement; Chapter 8: Production Economics; Chapter 9: Marketing; Chapter 10: Research and Development for Family Poultry.

This book, Profitable Poultry Production, is written to present the case fairly and squarely so the farmer may see the advantages that poultry offers as a means of making money. The book lays special emphasis upon all the important practices and new wrinkles that have been found profitable by professional breeders and poultry-men. It shows how these can be easily applied by any one and what may be expected in the way of results. From cover to cover it is intended as an encouragement and a stimulus to everyone interested in poultry. Not only does it indicate which are the lines likely to be most profitable, but it points out those branches of the business not likely to be remunerative, except under special conditions. With the conviction, therefore, that application of the principles herein laid down will make farm poultry production far more profitable than it at present is, the author commends these pages to the thinking farmers, farmers' wives and farmers' children.