S Sujatha NAMAKKAL POULTRY farmers are betting on the advantages of the automated environmentally-controlled (EC) sheds as they suffer from manpower shortage, extreme climatic conditions and mounting feed costs. But many of them are worried about the high electricity costs as the sheds require uninterrupted power supply. The cost of power for raising a chick is Rs 1.70 in an open house while it is Rs 28 inside an EC shed. But an EC shed needs fewer workers as they are automated through an advanced climate control system. The feeding and watering systems are also automated, thus a farm can be controlled from a computer-based system. The collection of eggs and even the litter are mechanical. While the feeds go to the birds, the eggs come directly to the godown. The eggs are then graded and packed based on the weight. India