Jun 27, 2011
Bangladesh creates new layer chicken
Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) has created a new type of layer chicken.
The breed, BLRI-1, was invented by conducting research on two Japanese breeds 'Pure Line' and 'Selective Breeding', BLRI director general Khan Shahidul Haque told the press on Sunday (Jun 25).
"The new breed is more productive than imported ones. It will be able to reduce foreign dependence in the poultry industry," he said.
According to livestock secretary, Ujjal Bikash Dutt, every year 700,000-800,000 layer parents are imported, which are worth BDT210-280 million (US$2.8-3.7 million).
"BLRI-1 will reduce foreign dependence and protein deficiency," he said.
BLRI chief scientific officer Nazrul Islam said BLRI-1 would lay around 292 eggs in a year and it would be less prone to diseases as it is suited to the country's climate.
"Farmers of Dinajpur and Noakhali have already profited from a test farming of 5,000 of this breed," he said.
