India is a land of wonders. There are so many unique things in India, that any stranger or visitor to our country is always mesmerized by the diversity of the nation. This diversity ranges from various kinds of flora, different fauna, languages, food, culture, heritage, travel, buildings, and new species of Chicken! The specie that blows away everyone’s mind is Kadaknath Or Black Hen.
What is Kadaknath Chicken?
Kadaknath is a native Indian breed of chicken. Its origins can be traced to the regions of Dhar and Jhabua, located in the state of Madhya and this breed is known to be raised by locals and tribes. This chicken is also called Kali Masi (or black meat) due to the colour of its flesh and blood. Kadaknath is available in three categories called penciled, jet-black, and golden. The government of India approved a geographical identification tag (GI Tag) for its meat in July of 2018. Getting a GI Tag is a big deal because it helps to preserve a breed, and ensure counterfeiting or duplication, thus bringing a boost to the economy of those, engaged in the rearing of this bird.
Being a country chicken, the growth of this bird is slow. However, it is a very hardy bird and can adapt itself, to any climatic condition. The meat of this bird, including its feather and other physical extremities, is all black or grey-black. This has been linked to the high levels of melanin present in the body of these birds.
Benefits of Kadaknath Chicken
Kadaknath Chicken Benefits are a lot. The meat of this bird is associated with numerous health benefits and is renowned for its texture, flavour, quality, and nutritional value. The meat of Kadaknath birds is always in high demand, and therefore, Kadaknath Chicken Farming is a wonderful business opportunity. Given the rising demand for this breed of chicken, recently it was granted permission to be sold across the country. Therefore, Kadaknath chicken business has become very lucrative. However, one must remember that as in the case of other flourishing businesses, there are many fake schemes promoted by thugs, to trap innocent investors, by promising a bountiful return in no time. Interested business owners or investors looking to start their own Kadaknath poultry business, should avoid such frauds and focus only on quality.
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How to Start a Kadaknath Chicken Farm?
1. Prospect of Kadaknath Chicken Business
Let us look at the various dimensions associated with a successful Kadaknath business. Kadaknath is a very hardy breed of Indian chicken that can be distinguished by its jet-black body and dark black meat. The rooster characteristically weighs about 1.5 to 2 kilos, while the females or hens weigh 1 – 1.5 kilograms. The hens typically lay a medium-sized egg of brownish pink colour, but these hens are very poor setters, and therefore, it is advisable to raise Kadaknath chicks in incubators to ensure high rates of hatching. A Kadaknath bird has a distinctive body, with easy-to-identify features. This bird has a grey to black colour throughout its body, be it its feathers, feet, tail, beak or wattles, etc. As stated above, due to the high melanin concentration, even the meat, and bones of this bird id grey or greyish black. The plumage of this bird is golden and has a green tinge to it.
Black Kadaknath Chicken
The demand for Kadaknath breed of chicken is so much, that it has driven fears of this breed getting extinct. With the GI Tag, the Madhya Pradesh government is duty-bound to preserve this breed of chicken. For the same, they have introduced a scheme where they provide financial support to tribal families for raising this Kadaknath breed. At the same time, many Agricultural universities in India have encouraged poultry farmers to adopt this breed to meet the market demand. However, due to its limited availability, multiple frauds have been unearthed where poultry farmers and consumers have been cheated of their money. One common ploy exercised by these scammers is to paint any broiler chicken with black paint. As these chickens are of high monetary value, the buyer or consumer ends up paying a high price for low-quality meat. Many fraudulent operators assure the best Kadaknath chicks for sale to interested poultry farmers. However, they either spray paint chicks with black colour or pass off any dark coloured chick of other breeds as Kadaknath chicken. Therefore, when starting a Kadaknath chicken business, the interested parties should exercise due diligence when ordering chickens. They must eliminate any intermediaries, and directly deal with the suppliers. They must also visit the farm of the suppliers and talk to their clients, to ensure the authenticity of this breed. Alternatively, they can get in touch with their local agricultural office, and request them to arrange for the Kadaknath breed. Many universities prefer to work directly with the farmers, and they provide chicks for free. They keep in touch to ensure that the chicks are raised properly along with proper medical attention
2. Maintaining Healthy Ratio
Generally, one must maintain a ratio between the roosters and layers. A healthy ratio is to keep one rooster for every 10 hens. If one keeps more roosters, then it will lead to disharmonious existence between the roosters and they will constantly fight amongst themselves, thus risking the fate of the eggs as well. It is advisable to start the business with 30 healthy female chicks. Thus, 33 Kadaknath chickens (30 females and 3 males) should be enough to start a decent business. Being a country breed, it is advisable to raise them in a big space, while ensuring that there is netting provided throughout. The birds should be provided plenty of places to run about, and a small hut-like structure should be provided to ensure roosting space for the birds at night. The cage should be big and proper ventilation should be provided. These birds do not like a very cold atmosphere, and thus, during the winter months, adequate arrangements should be made to allow for space heating.
3. Raising the Chickens
The birds must be provided a chick starter feed at the beginning, and then transitioned to other grains such as barley, corn, wheat, etc. Chickens are called the Pigs of the Bird kingdom, and there are omnivores. Farmers can also give them leftover home-cooked food, and they will pick through their favourite bits. Once the hens grow to about 8 months of age, they will begin laying eggs. At first, the hens should be allowed to hatch their eggs, but given their poor record, the farmers can purchase an incubator to hatch these eggs artificially. Vaccination of every chick is very important, and the farmer must make sure that regular screening and vaccination of birds be carried out. As a precautionary measure, it is advisable to raise these birds away from the city, in the village, or countryside. The chickens are regularly subjected to avian flu and another plethora of diseases, and it takes just one diseased chicken to wipe out the entire flock. Thus, the farmers should be very careful and exercise necessary precautions.
As these birds are slow-growing, they are ready to be sold at about 6 months' age. However, it is better if the farmer gives the birds healthy nutrition to ensure the birds reach at least one kilo of weight before being culled. These birds are in such a high demand that the birds will immediately be sold. These birds sell at a premium and they generally sell at a higher rate than mutton itself. The average Kadaknath Chicken price is about 800/- a kilo of live weight.
The farmer needs to advertise his produce. The farmer should be in touch with various potential buyers, and study the markets to ensure he lands the best profit. The farmer can be associated with various restaurants, meat sellers, etc to ensure there is always a demand for his produce. Given that, there are so many Kadaknath chicken manufacturers now, brand advertisement is very important.
Kadaknath chicken breeding and sale is a very lucrative business in India. The bird has its GI tag and there is a premium attached to its meat and eggs. As the bird is so popular, therefore, it offers plenty of space for new entrants into this field. However, caution must be exercised by new business owners to ensure they do not get duped.
FAQs: Kadaknath Chicken
Q. What is the Kadaknath breed of chicken?
Ans: Kadaknath breed is a variety of Indian chicken, native to the tribal belt of Madhya Pradesh, and this bird is known for its greyish black meat and health benefits.
Q. Why is the meat of Kadaknath so dark? Does it have a lot of blood?
Ans: No, the meat of the Kadaknath chicken is dark because of high levels of a pigment called melanin. It has the regular amount of blood that any other chicken breed has.
Q. What is the price of a kilo of Kadaknath bird meat?
Ans: The bird is normally sold by its live weight and not hanging or dressed weight. The prevalent rates vary from 800 – 1100 rupees a kilo thereby making it a very profitable business.
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