Chandigarh: After its experiments with setting up a solar power hatchery to breed chicks did not yield the desired results, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have launched a new initiative to establish a pressurised, climate-controlled hatchery. Some time ago, a facility for hatching poultry eggs in the region by using solar energy was set up, but the hatchability rate was poor and not economical due to low pressure, humidity and hypoxic (low oxygen) conditions. The new normobaric (having atmospheric pressure similar to that at sea level) hatchery will have facilities to monitor and regulate oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, relative humidity and temperature. The DRDO expects that this would enhance hatchability in high altitude areas. The move is aimed at developing poultry farming in the region with the twin benefits of easy availability of fresh poultry products to troops based in Ladakh and to provide a socio-economic spin-off to the local populace. A hatchery unit in Ladakh is a prerequisite to expand poultry farming and to develop a locally adapted breed for the region that is known for its harsh climatic conditions. Unavailability of day-old chicks is a major bottleneck for development of poultry in the region. Similarly, in the absence of a hatchery, hatching eggs produced by local and exotic breeds of chicken is impossible and hence the development of a local breed become non-feasible. The DRDO has also developed a solar-powered poultry house for keeping chicks that overcomes the drawbacks of poor ventilation and low temperature. DRDO’s new initiative A facility for hatching poultry eggs in the region by using solar energy was set up, but the hatchability rate was poor and not economical due to low pressure, humidity and hypoxic (low oxygen) conditions The new hatchery will have facilities to monitor and regulate oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, relative humidity and temperature. A hatchery unit in Ladakh is a prerequisite to expand poultry farming and to develop a locally adapted breed for a region known for its harsh climatic conditions.