The present study was conducted to document the rearing practices of villagechicken production in the Northern midlands, agro-ecological zone comprisingKannur and Kozhikode districts of Kerala state, India. Data was generated from65 and 63 chicken farming families of Kozhikode and Kannur districtsrespectively. The system of chicken rearing is extensive, with the provision ofshelter only during the night. The birds are being managed mostly by women(89.06%). The decision on the sale of birds and eggs is made by women and theproceeds of sales go directly to them. It was found that as many as 43.75% ofthe chicken farmers in these areas have no other animal husbandry activities.The average flock size is 5.62 birds. Natural incubation using locally availablematerials as a nest box and sand as the nesting material is the common practice.The average number of eggs set under the broody hen for hatching is 10.41.Chicken coops are placed at an average distance of 5.45m from the house andelevated 0.39 m from the ground. The average floor area of the coops is 0.757m2 and the night shelter provided per bird is 830.39cm2. The walls and floor of the coops are made of wood and the roofwith tiles or thatch in most of cases. Rice grain is commonly fed assupplementary feed with mostly no specific timing in feeding. Farmers depend onan array of herbs rather than chemotherapeutic agents and vaccines for thetreatment and control of diseases. Most of the surplus males (59.38%) arediscarded before one year of age, whereas females are less commonly culled(21.87%). The average culling age of males and females was 11.05 and 36.64months, respectively. It was discovered that as high as 52.15% of the eggs and59.38% of the cockerels produced are consumed in the home. When sold theyattract at least a two-fold higher price compared to birds of industrialorigin.