The secret? A 100‑chick starter kit from KVK and a hatchery machine that turned a modest backyard into a ₹2.23 lakh revenue stream, without any flashy marketing gimmicks.
When Phool Kumari first met the scientists at KVK Gumla, she was handed 100 Divyayan Red chicks – a breed that thrives on low‑cost feed and is ideal for backyard setups. She built a simple coop, kept the water clean, and followed a disease‑control schedule that the researchers taught her. Within three months, the birds weighed about 1.5 kg, and by week 22, the hens were laying eggs regularly, turning what seemed like a hobby into a steady cash flow.
The next leap came when KVK supplied a hatchery machine and 112 eggs under the Tribal Sub‑Plan. Suddenly Phool could sell chicks as well as adult birds and eggs, creating a triple‑stream income. The hatchery was a game‑changer: it cut out the need for buying chicks from distant markets and gave her a reliable supply to meet local demand.
Financials tell the story. In the 2025‑26 cycle, the unit grossed ₹4.48 lakh against input costs of ₹2.25 lakh, leaving a clean net of ₹2.23 lakh. The sales mix – about 1,000 adult birds, 960 chicks, and 1,000 eggs – shows that diversification pays off. The numbers also explain why the family could finally buy an autorickshaw and keep school fees covered.
Word spread like a good rumor. Around 30 tribal women in Borang village started their own units, buying eggs from Phool and rearing improved breeds such as Sonali and Divyayan Red. Each of them now earns an extra ₹35,000‑₹45,000 a year, and the village has a local source of protein and income.
If you’re looking to turn a small plot or even a backyard into a thriving enterprise, start with a local Krishi Vigyan Kendra. They’ll guide you on breed selection, feed formulation, and hatchery set‑up. Keep the coop simple, focus on clean water and disease control, and think of diversification – chickens, chicks, eggs, and even a side line like poultry feed. The payoff can be as transformative as Phool’s, and the community ripple will lift everyone around you.