Manuel P Balado (Cuba) - The Cuban model of familiar production of poultry eggs and meat has extended to the whole country and has contributed to the programs of Nicaragua and Haiti.

1. The program includes breeding farms and incubation plants for the production of chicks, which are sold to breeders vaccinated against Avianpox and Newcastle disease.

2. Genotypes of semirustic hens of high rusticity conditions, able to produce 180-190 eggs per year, are developed, being to sex at one day of age by the color of the plume.

3. The Cuban Peking duck is incorporated into the program, which reaches 187,5 eggs yearly, and meat chickens may weigh up to 1,4 kg.

4. An epizootiological monitoring and surveillance program has been established which guarantees the detection and control of diseases.

5. The feeding of backyard poultry is carried out with foods, which go from corn and soy beans up to harvest crops and sugar-industry byproducts.

6. Recommendations were made for poultry raising and the development of rustic equipment.

7. With all the results, a training and preparation program of breeders, of which there are more than 700 thousand in this country, where there are 6,7 million birds, which productions contribute to the food security and to raise the family incomes, improving their living conditions. The new genotypes created have increased the biodiversity of birds, with higher productive yields in poultry eggs and meat.

Jurgen E Lohr (Germany) - Referring to "Experiencia cubana..." I have the following questions:

1. Could you give details of the "Epizootiologal monitoring and surveillance program"?

2. Do you have a special program for the Peking laying ducks. Do you have details?

Jurgen E Lohr (Germany) - I would like to comment on de Vries' contribution:

1. The common practice to distribute pullets at about 10-12 weeks should help to vastly reduce "early chick mortality" and ensure the supply of properly vaccinated birds. This may well be one of the keys to successful village chicken production.

2. Replacement of hybrids is a problem where chicken raising is considered as one of the means of alleviating poverty. Apparently, hybrids with local hens had no problems with hatching eggs in Nicaragua. Loss of hybrid vigour may not be a problem at the level of 150-180 eggs/year, but lack of broodiness may well be.

3. Calcium supplementation is a very important factor in preventing bone problems ("osteomalacia") in the high production hen and in improving eggshell quality. However, its influence on the NUMBER of eggs produced is small at this production level.

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