International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Nivedita Tigga, AK Gauraha, Hulas Pathak and SK Joshi

abstract
An investigation was conducted at Manendragarh Chirmiri Bharatpur district of Chhattisgarh during 2024–25. The data was collected by primary and secondary methods where, six poultry farms in Manendragarh block was selected to analyze egg production and marketing performance. The average number of layers per farm was 19,953, ranging from 8,000 on small farms to 33,111 on large farms. The average feed conversion ratio per dozen eggs was better in larger farms (1.11) compared to small farms (1.38). Fixed investment per layer decreased with farm size, averaging ?380.97. The average production cost per layer was ?1,016.49, with variable costs accounting for 98.14%. Egg production per layer was highest on large farms (300 eggs), with an average of 295 eggs across all farms. Gross return averaged ?38.76 lakh per farm, primarily from egg sales (89.08%), followed by meat (10.37%) and by-products (0.45%). The overall cost of egg production was ?3.45 per egg, and net returns per layer averaged ?405.53. The benefit-cost ratio ranged from 1.37 to 1.42, while the input-output ratio remained around 1.02. Large farms were more efficient and profitable due to higher productivity, lower investment per unit, and better market access. Smaller farms can improve through cost control, better management, and training. Overall, layer farming is a sustainable and economically viable enterprise.