Kadaknath Chicken Breed information

Kadaknath Chicken Breed information:

Introduction to Kadaknath Chicken Breed:- Kadaknath is one of the rarest poultry breeds of India which is native to Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh (MP), India. Basically, Kadaknath breed is popular for its black meat and known as BMC (black meat chicken). Kadaknath chicken breed is famous for its meat quality, texture, and taste. The demand for Kadaknath chicken is growing day by day and spread across most of the Indian states due to their excellent medicinal values. Especially these birds bear great medicinal value in homeopathy and useful in treating a particular nervous disorder. Basically,  Kadaknath chickens are mainly reared by tribal communities in Bhil and Bhilala in the districts Jhabua and Dhar in the state of Madhya Pradesh(MP). The commercial scale of Kadaknath chicken raising especially in the states Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu. Kadaknath chicken meat is in black color and eggs are in brown color.

The new Kadaknath production technology has reduced the mortality rate from greater than 50 %. Now you can expect to 10 to 12% of mortality, this enhanced the survival percentage and overall profits in Kadaknath chicken farming. Because of high feed conversion ratio, these birds can gain body weight of 1.10 to 1.25 kg in 100 to 125 days. Kadaknath chickens can be reared similar to country chicken or free range chicken. However, It may require little more care initially to grow in a controlled environment. Later they can be left free in the open field. One can grow these birds in backyards. In fact, Kadaknath chickens are best suited for back yard farming rather growing on commercial scales.

There are 3 different breeds of Black Meat Chicken (BMC) is available in the world.

• Kadaknath – Native to Madhya Pradesh, India.
• Silkie – Native to China.
• Ayyam Cemani – Native to Indonesia.

Merits, Advantages, and Benefits of Kadaknath Chicken Breed:- The following are advantages of growing Kadaknath chicken.

• Kadaknath chicken meat is textured and flavored.
• This black meat has good medicinal values.
• Kadaknath chicken breeds are adaptable to any kind of environment.
• Kadaknath chicken meat and their eggs are sold for a high price in the market.
• This bird meat contains many kinds of amino acids and vitamins.
• This meat helps to increase blood cells and hemoglobin.
• Kadaknath chicken is said to aid in curing pulmonary problems.
• The Kadaknath birds convert feed quickly into the meat (feed conversion ratio is high).
• The Kadaknath chicken eggs are used to treat headaches, post delivery problems, asthma, and nephritis.
• Kadaknath chicken is said to be good for women health as well.
• The tribal community in MP uses Kadaknath chicken blood in the treatment of chronic disease.
• The Kadaknath chicken eggs also have good nutrition values and good for old people.
• Kadaknath black meat contains vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E, niacin, protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and nicotinic acid
• The Kadaknath breed is hardy and highly resistant for diseases.
• Unlike broiler chicken, these can survive even on kitchen waste.
• The best advantage is, these birds meat has more protein, less fat, and low cholesterol when compared to similar kind of poultry breeds.
• Kadaknath chicken weighs about 1.5 Kg after growing 6 to 7 months.
• Kadaknath is one of the rarest birds available in the world.
• Commercial scale farming of Kadaknath chicken defiantly fetches good profits if proper marketing channel is established.
• Some state governments like Madhya Pradesh, have incentive scheme for people who were interested in breeding the Kadaknath chicken.

Read: Broiler Farming Project Report For 10000 Birds.

Cost of Kadaknath Chicken and Eggs:- Because of the fact that these birds have superb medicinal values, their meat cost about 600 to 800 Rs/kg. As we said above, these bird eggs also nutritious, they are sold up to 40 to 50 Rs/egg in the market.

Nutritional Value Comparison:- The following chart compares the Kadaknath nutritional values with other chicken breeds.

Properties    Kadaknath Chicken    Other Breeds of Chickens

Protein content            25%                              18 to 20%

Fat content             0.73 to 1.03                       13 to 25%

Linoleic Acid            24%                                     21%

Cholesterol       184mg / 100gm                       218.mg / 100gm

How to Start Kadaknath Farming:- Well, this is similar to any other country chicken farming.

• Get good breeds of Kadaknath birds.
• Make sure you bring day-old chicks with proper vaccinations.
• Start with 30 to 50 birds and keep increasing the bird count as you gain the experience.
• Find out with the poultry department of agriculture university for chicks and feed information.
• Some state government are providing incentives on these birds breeding, avail those benefits.
• For a couple of weeks, these require proper care and provide necessary shelter /light /water/feed.
• Don’t start on a large scale without knowing the poultry line of business.
• If you are starting a commercial Kadaknath chicken farming, make sure you establish a proper marketing channel.
• Follow the scheduled vaccination chart to avoid any diseases.

Some Facts about Kadaknath Breed:-

Particulars Kadaknath The weight of Day Old Kadaknath Chicks 28 to 30 grams Bird Body Colour Jet black Price for Parent Stock (chicks) Rs. 20 to 22 Body weight in 8 weeks 0.8 0.9 kg The period required to attain 1 kg of body weight  13 to14 Weeks Survival rate 95 % The period required to attain 1.5 to 2 Kg Bodyweight Like Country Chicken Total weight (male) 2.3 to 2.5 kg Total weight (female) 1.6 to 1.8 kg Quality of Meat Black like pure country chicken Taste of the meat It tastes like country chicken. Meat percentage without skin (dressed) 65 % Management/Maintenance Low Are these good for Commercial or Backyard poultry farming Backyard poultry farming Age for first egg laying 23 to 24 weeks Broodiness Less Egg laying/month 11-12 Annual egg laying 120 Average egg weight 40 to 45 grams. Egg color Brown Feed required 50 kg for the entire growth

Hurdles in Kadaknath Farming:- Inadequate availability of Kadaknath breed chicks and lack of proper financial support from government are posing major hurdles in undertaking backyard poultry farming using Kadaknath birds. For better development of this breed, Local governments should provide subsidies and loans to small scale farmers.

Read about Kadaknath Chicken Farming project Report.

For Quail Bird Farming: Read here.

To Read about Goat Farming: Read here.