Sri Vijaya Puram | January 17, 2026
In a significant step towards diversifying poultry farming and enhancing meat production in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services has successfully initiated the rearing and production of a fast-growing variety of quails known as Broiler Namakkal Quails.
As part of the initiative, 2,500 parent stock broiler quail hatching eggs were procured from the Veterinary College & Research Institute, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu. The eggs were hatched at the Central Hatchery, Livestock Farm Complex, Dollygunj, where the chicks were subsequently reared until they reached the egg-laying stage.
Following the commencement of egg production, the Department has begun supplying fertile hatching eggs to other hatchery units across the islands. In the first phase, 1,200 broiler quail hatching eggs have been dispatched to the Composite Livestock Farms at Hutbay, Basantipur and Sitanagar for further chick production and eventual distribution to farmers.
Broiler Namakkal Quails are valued for their rapid growth rate, attaining marketable body weight within five to six weeks. They mature early, begin laying eggs at six to seven weeks of age, and are capable of producing around 250 to 280 eggs per bird annually. The birds also require less feed, offer superior meat quality with better dressing percentage, and are suitable for both meat and egg production.
Owing to their low space requirement and high economic returns, the species is considered ideal for small and marginal farmers. The initiative is expected to open new income opportunities for farmers, strengthen local availability of meat and eggs, and contribute to the overall development of the livestock sector in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
