This comprehensive book is meticulously designed to provide hands-on experience and enhance technical skills in poultry production. Aimed at students, aspiring poultry farmers, and professionals seeking to master the intricacies of poultry management, it adopts a practical, skill-enhancement approach. The curriculum guides readers through essential aspects of poultry farming, from fundamental breed selection and housing preparation to advanced topics like disease management, value-added product creation, and sustainable practices. Through detailed practical exercises and theoretical insights, learners will develop the competencies required for efficient, sustainable, and profitable poultry operations, ensuring they are well-equipped for the challenges and opportunities in the modern poultry industry.

The book titled "Poultry Production Technology (Skill Enhancement Course)" is designed as a comprehensive, practical guide specifically aimed at providing hands-on experience and enhancing technical skills in all facets of poultry production.

Rooted in the core mission of skill development, this book moves beyond theoretical knowledge to equip learners with the vital practical competencies needed for successful poultry farming. It systematically covers the entire lifecycle and operational aspects of a poultry enterprise, from initial setup to market readiness.

Key areas and skills covered through its practical exercises include:

• Foundational Knowledge: Understanding different poultry breeds and strains, and mastering the essential steps in preparing poultry housing and equipment.
• Core Management: Detailed practicals on feeding and nutrition, efficient procurement and handling of poultry stock, and crucial brooding management for young chicks.
• Health and Biosecurity: Intensive training in vaccination protocols, disease management, maintaining high standards of poultry farm hygiene, and implementing robust biosecurity measures. It also covers farm safety and first aid.
• Reproduction and Production: Hands-on experience in incubation and hatchery management, and specialized management techniques for both layers (egg production) and broilers (meat production).
• Product Handling and Quality: Practical skills in egg handling and grading, processing and preservation of poultry products, and comprehensive meat and egg quality testing. It also delves into preparing value-added poultry products.
• Business and Sustainability: Essential skills in record-keeping and data management, understanding the economic aspects of poultry farming, environmental management, and adopting sustainable poultry farming practices.
• Modern Tools and Market Access: Introduction to poultry farm management software, and crucial lessons in marketing and supply chain management.
• Strategic Planning: Hands-on experience in preparing detailed poultry farming business plans and comprehensive project reports.
• Experiential Learning: Integration of field visits and practical observations to provide real-world exposure.

In essence, this book serves as an invaluable resource for students, aspiring poultry farmers, and professionals looking to significantly enhance their practical skills and operational efficiency in the dynamic field of poultry production. It prepares individuals not just to understand, but to actively manage and innovate within the poultry industry.

Professor (Dr.) A. Zaman, Ph D in Agronomy, the esteemed author of this book, is an internationally recognized scientist with 40 years of profound experience in agricultural water management. His ground-breaking and original research in fields such as irrigation water management, rainfed agriculture, cropping systems, watershed management, dry land agriculture, and biodiversity conservation has garnered global appreciation and established him as an outstanding teacher within farm universities worldwide. Dr. Zaman is credited with developing a wealth of original concepts, strategies, techniques, and tools that have profoundly contributed to agricultural science and benefited global society.

Born May 27, 1954, is a distinguished Agronomist specializing in Agricultural Water Management for enhancing crop and water productivity. His extensive career spans influential leadership roles at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (BCKV) and Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (UBKV) in West Bengal, India. He has notably served as Dean, Faculty of Agriculture; Director of Research; Head of the Department of Agronomy; and Chief Scientist in AICRP on Water Management (ICAR). With significant research experience in water management, a background in post-graduate teaching, and considerable administrative acumen, 

Since May 2020, Prof. Zaman has served as the Dean of the School of Agricultural Sciences at Sister Nivedita University, Kolkata. His extensive professional journey includes pivotal roles as Founder In-charge of Agriculture at The Neotia University (June 2018 to 2020), Emeritus Professor in Agriculture at M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management (September 2016 – May 2018), and Programme Coordinator for the World Bank-funded West Bengal Accelerated Development of Minor Irrigation Project (September 2014 – August 2016).

Prior to these roles, Dr. Zaman gained invaluable international experience as Head of the Irrigation Expatriate Team for the Government of Uganda (1994-1996) under an ITEC Programme. In this capacity, he was instrumental in designing, laying out, and installing farmer-managed small-scale irrigation systems for sustainable crop cultivation. His vast academic contributions include authorship of 10 textbooks in agriculture, several book chapters, over 150 peer-reviewed research papers, and 179 publications in national and international seminar and conference proceedings. Furthermore, he has significantly shaped future researchers, having guided 7 Ph.D. candidates and supervised over 50 postgraduate thesis works.

 
Dr Mozammel Hoque was born on 12 March 1961. He did his B. V. Sc & A.H. degree in 1983 from Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, West Bengal and awarded Vice Chancellor’s Gold Medal for securing first position. He then completed M.V.Sc (Surgery) in 1987 and Ph. D. in 1996 from ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar. He joined Agricultural Research Service (ICAR, New Delhi) as Scientist and held the position of Principal Scientist and Head, Division of Surgery, I.V.R.I, Izatnagar, Bareilly UP and retired on 31.03.2023. He is having 34 years of experiences in research, teaching and extension and consultancy services. He has worked as Principal Investigator and Associate in more than 15 Institutes and out funded projects. He published more than 200 papers in national and international journals. He authored 1 textbook, edited 4 books 2 manuals, contributed 19 book chapters, 20 technical notes/ popular articles and more than 200 invited lectures. He guided 7 Ph D and 12 M.V. Sc students. He received FAO Fellowship in 1998 and underwent advanced training in Diagnostic Imaging at Colorado State University, USA. He was also offered the Visiting Faculty position at CSU, USA. He received Ramani Ramachandran Award by Indian Vet J.; Award of Merit for meritorious contribution in the area of veterinary and animal sciences; ISVS Fellow IAAVR Fellow, NAVNAW Fellow, AIZWV Fellow, Prof. A. K. Bhargava Memorial Award by Indian J. Veterinary Surgery and Wild Animal Health Management Award for the outstanding contributions in Application of sonography in wildlife disease diagnosis. He worked as Editor ISVS Newsletter and Associate Editor, Indian J Vet Surgery and Wildlife Bulletin and Executive Editor, Indian Wildlife Yearbook. He served as Joint Secretary cum Treasurer and General Secretary, Association of Indian Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians. 

Dr. Md. Hedayetullah, Ph.D., born on 30th April 1982, is a respected expert in agricultural science and the co-author of this book.  He is currently an Assistant Professor/Scientist (Department of Agronomy) and Officer-In-Charge of the ICAR’s All India Coordinated Research Project on Chickpea at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (BCKV), Mohanpur, West Bengal.

Dr. Hedayetullah holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Hons.) from H.N.B. Garhwal University, Uttarakhand, and a Master of Science in Agronomy from Palli Siksha Bhavana, Institute of Agriculture, Visva Bharati University, Sriniketan, West Bengal. He earned his Ph.D. in Agronomy from Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Mohanpur, West Bengal. He was a recipient of the prestigious Maulana Azad National Fellowship awarded by the University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi, and received multiple fellowships from various funding agencies to support his research throughout his academic career. He was the recipient of Young Scientist and Eminent Scientist award. Dr. Hedayetullah brings a wealth of practical and academic experience to this foundation course. His background includes roles as Agronomist at NABARD and Assistant Professor at the M.S. Swaminathan Institute of Agriculture Science and the College of Agriculture, Tripura, giving him a comprehensive understanding of agricultural challenges and solutions.

A prolific contributor to agricultural literature, Dr. Hedayetullah has authored or co-authored 10 books, 50 research papers, and numerous book chapters, covering a wide array of topics crucial for aspiring agriculturists. He guided 7 students for post- graduate degrees and supervising 4 research students for doctor of philosophy in Agronomy. He has served as Principal Investigator for five ad-hoc projects and as Co-Principal Investigator for several notable initiatives. These include the ICAR-IIPR sponsored project “Creation of Seed Hubs for Increasing Indigenous Production of Pulses in India” and the ICARDA-supported project “Enhancing Pulses Production for Food and Nutritional Security, Improved Livelihoods, and Sustainable Agriculture in West Bengal,” both ongoing at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Mohanpur, since 2017. His involvement as Principal Investigator in various research. His expertise makes him an ideal guide for students embarking on their agricultural journey.

Chapter 1.Importance of Poultry Production in Indian Economy 
Chapter 2.Status of Poultry Production in India and Different States 
Chapter 3.Employment Generation vs Poultry Production Technology
Chapter 4.Poultry Production Technology as an Alternative Livelihood System 
Chapter 5.Biosecurity Protocols and Disease Management Systems
Chapter 6.Smart Farming: IoT and Data Analytics in Poultry Production
Chapter 7.Sustainable Poultry Production Practices
Chapter 8.Poultry Production Technology: A Skill Enhancement Course