Sri Lanka’s poultry breeder sector produced over 149.18 million Broiler Chicks in last year 

Sri Lankan poultry breeder farms had produced nearly a total of 149.18 million broiler chicks and 8.50 million layer chicks (chicks raised to laying eggs) in 2017, an estimation in the latest Annual Performance Report of the Department of Animal Production and Health outlines.

Poultry industry in the country at present is predominantly in the hands of the private sector and, the state sector role is confined to that of regulatory services and quality assurance aspects.

The report points out that due to the outbreaks of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) disease in certain countries, restrictions have been imposed on import of parent and grandparent birds and strict preventive measures are adopted by the animal quarantine office at ports of entries. Around 73.82% of broiler parent requirements of the country are being locally produced by three (03) Grand Parent farms (GP farms). By the end of the year 953,157 broiler parents have been produced locally by these grandparents‟ farms. In addition the report outlines that, 33,136 broiler grandparents, 337,952 broiler parents and 101,880 layer parents have been imported into the country.

- Reporting By Devendra Francis