Production of Kadaknath Poultry

INTRODUCTION

The Kadaknath is important native chicken breed in India. Kadaknath breed, also known as Kalamashi in Hindi, is known for its black-colored meat. It is being reared by tribal communities in its breeding tract of the Jhabua and Dhar districts in the western region of the state of Madhya Pradesh and in adjoining areas of the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Although the meat of this breed has an unattractive appearance, it has a delicious flavour. The meat and eggs are considered rich sources of protein and iron. The meat of the Kadaknath breed contains a high percentage (25.47%) of protein and is believed to have aphrodisiac properties. Although the Kadaknath breed has many unique characteristics, it has been neglected because of its poor production potential. Of late, there is renewed interest among consumers and farmers in native germplasm because of the unique hardiness of the breeds, their ability to thrive under adverse climatic conditions, and the desirable taste and flavour of eggs and meat. Hence, a significant demand exists for the Kadaknath native chicken. The bird is very popular among the adiwasis mainly due to its adaptability to environment, disease resistance, tasty black meat, texture and flavour. Its flesh, bones and nerves appears black; it is considered not only for delicacy of distinctive taste, but also for good medicinal value.

 Feed formulation for Kadaknath

  Merits of kadaknath chicken

1. High protein more than 25% (highest of all chicken breads)
2. Low fat 0.73-1.05% only (lowest of all chicken breads)
3. Vitamins b1, b2, b6, b12, c and e, niacin, protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus, iron, nicotinic acid etc.
4. High levels of 18 essential amino acids as well as hormones that are required by the human body.
5. The amount of fat deposited in the body of a kadaknath chicken is itself very negligible.
6. It has great importance in siddha & homeopathy medicines for treating nervous disorder.

Nutritive table showing comparison of kadaknath chicken with other chicken

 Merits of kadaknath chicken eggs: The eggs are an ideal nutritive food, especially for old people and high blood pressure victims, since the cholesterol content is lower. Kadaknath eggs helps to meet the day to day protein requirement of growing children.

Why is kadaknath egg chicken costlier?

A white leghom hen is selectively bred to lay320 – 330 eggs out of 365 days in a year, where as kadaknath hen lays around 120 -130 eggs in a year taking the same amount of feed as that of a white leghom hen. So it’s obvious that the price has to be 3 times higher as that of a white egg. A broiler chicken gains 2.5 kg of body weight in 40 -45 days. It almost inflates like a balloon day-by-day. Its gene has been selected so that its only work is to eat and get obese. Even if you do not kill a broiler chicken at 45 days of age it will die very soon due to obesity (under intensive rearing farm condition. Kadaknath being a desi bird involves in lot of physical activity and its weight gain is “slow and steady”. A kadaknath cock attains body weight of 1.5Kg in 120 -130 days. It takes nearly thrice the time to attain half the body weight of a broiler chicken. If Kadaknath not killed, it will live upto the age of 12 years reaching maximum of around 2Kg body weight only. So its cost of production is nearly four times higher than that of a broiler chicken. That is the reason that many giant breeders did not turn to kadaknath even through it is so useful to the humankind, all-corporate in poultry field are concerned about quick profit only.

Photo From: http://www.agrifarming.in/kadaknath-chicken-breed-information/