Assam is a region in the North–East of India and is known for the different groups of indigenous ducks reared by farmers under traditional systems (Islam et al., 2002). Previous surveys (Mahanta et al., 2001; Islam et al., 2002) have shown that the Pati breed constitute the majority (85.6%) of the duck population in Assam, but has poor egg production, with only 80-90 eggs per duck per year (Islam et al., 2002). In order to improve productivity and profitability from duck farming, a field study was conducted in 2003 in association with the Centre for Advance Studies in Poultry Science, Kerala Agricultural University regarding the duck production system in Kerala. Following this study, Chara-Chemballi ducks from Kerala were introduced by the State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD) for feasibility studies and performance evaluation under a range of conditions in Assam. These studies showed that the agro-climatic conditions of Assam are highly suitable for the Chara-Chemballi Ducks. SIRD implemented a special project for rearing Chara-Chemballi ducks by 1600 self help groups (SHGs) especially those involving women, in different districts of Assam. It has been reported that the average annual income from the SHGs involved was increased through back yard duck farming (Anon, 2005-2006). Following the successful implementation of this project for rearing Chara-Cemballi Duck, the Government of Assam has sponsored similar projects with all-women SHGs since 2006. The overall objectives of these projects were to improve the socio-cultural dimensions of poverty and the livelihood of the rural masses, especially women, in a sustainable manner through scientific management of Chara-Chemballi ducks of Kerala. The following paper reviews these projects and the milestones they represent.

Major marker genes are believed to confer not only adaptability to the tropical climate, but also resistance to diseases. During the last two decades, many investigations have observed that naked neck and frizzle genes have favourable effects on immunocompetence in chickens raised under high ambient temperatures. As a result, several tropical countries have introduced these genes in breeding programs to improve both the productive performance and survival rate of chickens.

Although being the main bottlenecks for commercial poultry development in Togo, feeding and management practices retain little attention. Indeed, there is no proficient feed miller unit which can provide high quality feed according to the needs of the farmers. This is due to a lack of information on nutrition and relevant management tools or people trained as poultry farm managers. With the aim to alleviate poverty and hunger in Togo, an inter-university project [Catholic University of Leuven (KUL) and University of Lome (UL)] as a model for poultry development was being run from June 2006 to May 2012. Specific objectives of the project are 1) to provide insights and disseminate guidelines and information on adapted methods to improve poultry production and 2) to focus on development of new technologies in poultry production and implementation of research on better poultry nutrition, feeding and management practices.

Necrotic enteritis (NE) caused by Clostridium spp. is an economically significant bacterial disease of poultry worldwide. Traditionally the disease has been prevented through feed supplementation with antibiotics sub-therapeutically as antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs). However this practice has led to the emergence of resistant pathogenic microbes and drug residues, potentially threatening animal and public health. Therefore the marketing and incorporation of AGPs into poultry feed has been banned in Europe which has exacerbated the incidence of NE, bringing about huge economic losses to poultry farmers. Poultry researchers, exporters and consumers have emphasised AGP-free poultry rearing and have been searching for non-antibiotic and cost effective alternatives to control NE. Strategies suggested include vaccination, coccidiosis control, probiotics, competitive exclusion products, prebiotics, egg yolk immunoglobulins, bacteriophages (or phage gene products), organic acids, feed enzymes, plants and plants extracts/essential oils and nutritional changes.

There are many predisposing as well as virulence factors for NE induction and pathogenesis and more are expected to be discovered in the future. The ambiguous pathogenesis trend of the disease is still hindering the development of a potent active vaccine against NE. The choice of a single and fully effective approach is difficult. However, probiotics and specific egg yolk immunoglobulins (IgYs) alone or in combination could serve as promising strategies for controlling NE in broilers in the absence of AGPs.

The World’s Poultry Science Journal is indebted to Prof J.A. Castello, Prof D.K. Flock, Dr D. Grastilleur, Dr S. Cherepanov and Prof N. Yang for the translations of these summaries.

The World’s Poultry Science Journal is indebted to Prof J.A. Castello, Prof D.K. Flock, Dr D. Grastilleur, Dr S. Cherepanov and Prof N. Yang for the translations of these summaries.

The indigenous chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) genetic resources (IC) comprise more than 80% of the overall poultry population in rural villages despite their low productivity. However, a holistic approach that increases productivity without increasing production costs or leading to loss of biodiversity is presently limited. Conversely, in most developing countries, there is almost no organizational structure for breeding programmes for improving and conserving IC. These locally adapted IC can only be conserved in the most rational and sustainable way by ensuring that they are functional part of different production systems. Their conservation should be through utilisation if they are to be of any benefit to the poor rural households. This discussion focuses on five very relevant questions that need to be answered if the conservation of IC is to be effective and sustainable: What, why and how should we conserve, who are the stakeholders and what are their roles in conservation efforts?

Coastal and rural parts of Odisha are home to indigenous ducks, which are mostly reared for meat and egg production. Cross performance of the indigenous duck with exotic breeds, along with the suitability of crossbreeds for commercial rearing in the region are highlighted in this review paper. The crossbreeds perform comparatively better for most economic traits compared to the indigenous duck. The cross of the indigenous duck (male) with the Khaki Campbell (female) perform better in respect to different growth and production traits. Indigenous ducks in combination with White Pekin perform better in respect to juvenile growth, carcass quality and egg production. Most of the economic traits have showed desirable heterosis in crossbreds. The performance of indigenous ducks kept under free range conditions, molecular characteristics, mortality pattern and disease incidence, nutritional, and haematological studies are included in this review.

The World’s Poultry Science Journal is indebted to Prof J.A. Castello, Prof D.K. Flock, Dr D. Grastilleur, Dr S. Cherepanov and Prof N. Yang for the translations of these summaries.

The World’s Poultry Science Journal is indebted to Prof J.A. Castello, Prof D.K. Flock, Dr D. Grastilleur, Dr S. Cherepanov and Prof N. Yang for the translations of these summaries.