Aseel
Native Tract:
Found in most parts of Andhra Pradesh, especially the East Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Viziangaram districts and in the Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh. The most popular varieties are Peela (golden red), Yarkin (black and red), Nurie 89 (white), Kagar (black), Chitta (black and white silver), Teekar (brown) and Reza (light red).
Characteristics
Body weight at 20 weeks: 1,220 gms.
Standard Weight: �-Cocks: 3 to 4 kgs�-Hens: 2 to 3 kgs�-Cockerels: 2.5 to 3.5 kgs�-Pullets: 1.5 to 2.5 kgs.
Age at sexual maturity: 196 days.
Annual egg production : 92.
Average Egg weight at 40 weeks: 50 gms.
Fertility: 66%.
Hatchability of fertile eggs: 63%.
Size of a good specimen of an Aseel Cock from head to toe: 28 inches.
Cultural / Economic Significance
The Aseel is reared under backyard poultry management systems and is a vital source of meat and income for small-holder poultry rearers. The bird is important in tribal culture for cock-fighting. Men manage selected male chicks and take care of selection and breeding stock. Women play an important role in the rearing, management and sale of birds.
Busra
Native Tract:
Busra birds are found in the Navapur Taluk of Nandurbar and the Sakri Taluk of Dhule districts of Maharashtra, and the Songadh and Uchchal Taluks of Surat district of Gujarat.
Characteristics
Average Flock Size: 9 birds.
Plumage is mostly white mixed with black feathers on the neck, back, tail, and reddish brown feathers on shoulders and wings.
Comb is red, single, small to medium in size, stands erect.
Beak is yellow and wattles are red, with a yellow shank.
Standard Weight:�-Cocks: 0.85 to 1.25 kgs�-Hens: 0.8 to 1.2 kgs.
Average age at first laying cycle: 5-7 months.
Annual egg production: 40-55.
Hatchability of eggs: 60-85%.
Eggs are small weighing about 28 – 38 gms. The shell colour is primarily light brown.
Cultural / Economic Significance
The birds are reared in a free range system for home consumption as well as for sale of live birds and eggs. The bird is preferred as a meat bird, since the egg laying capacity is poor.
Chittagong (Malay)
Native Tract: Found in the North Eastern states of India bordering Bangladesh
Characteristics � Average weight:�-Cock: 3.5 – 4.5 kg�-Hen: 3 - 4 kg.
Cultural / Economic Significance
A large bird very strong and hardy with a quarrelsome temperament. Possesses all the characteristics of a good game bird such as colouring (primarily bay, chestnut, gray, roan, palomino, black, etc.), large eyes, long mane and tail, strong, yet refined legs, high headset when in action, and low tail set.
Danki
Native Tract:
Distributed in the Vizianagram district (Bobli region) and adjoining parts of Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh bordering Orissa.
Characteristics
Plumage colour: mainly brown followed by black. Cocks have shining bluish black feathers on wings, breast, tail and thighs. The neck is darker compared to the rest of the body.
Wattles are absent.
Comb is red, pea type and compressed.
Spur is long and sharp in cocks and small in hens.
Average Weight:�-Cocks: 3.12 kg�-Hens: 2.22 kg.
Average age at first laying cycle: 6-8 months.
Number of eggs laid in one egg laying cycle of 15-20 days: 8 - 12.
Annual egg production: 25 - 35.
Average egg weight: 46.16 gms.
Cultural / Economic Significance
The Aseel is reared under backyard poultry management systems and is a vital source of meat and income for small-holder poultry rearers. The bird is important in tribal culture for cock-fighting. Men manage selected male chicks and take care of selection and breeding stock. Women play an important role in the rearing, management and sale of birds.
Daothigir
Native Tract:
Found in the districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Udalguri and Baska in Assam
Characteristics
Plumage colour is mostly black interspersed with white feathers.
Comb is red, single, erect and large in size.
Average weight �-Cock: 1.79±0.13 kg�-Hen: 1.63±0.13 kg.
Annual egg production: 60 – 70.
Average egg weight: 44.42 gms.�
Cultural / Economic Significance
These birds are reared by Bodo tribals in Assam under backyard or free-range rearing systems.
Dumasil
Native tract:
Karaya and Jashipur blocks of Mayurbhanj district in Orissa.
Characteristics
Birds of both sexes are active and alert and fairly large, about 80 cm in length and 70 cm in height.
Plumage colour: There are two recognized varieties – black and brown. In the black variety the plumage colour of entire body including wings is black with a greenish sheen. In the brown variety the plumage colour is uniformly lustrous dark brown from head to tail.
Pea comb is common.
Wattles are red in colour, moderately sized in males, rounded at the bottom and free from wrinkles.
Eyes are compact and small. Eyelids are light red in colour.
Standard Weight:�-Cock: 3 to 3.6 kgs -Hen: 2 to 2.5 kgs.
Egg laying age: 6 months. Average annual egg production: 100 to 150 eggs.
Egg shell colour: Light to medium brown.
Cultural / Economic Significance
It is a dual purpose bird used for both egg and meat production. Males, though used for cock fighting, are less aggressive. The birds are reared in the smallholder production system with family flock size ranging from 4 to 7 in number. The hens are less broody compared to other indigenous domestic fowl. The eggs are hatched through use of broody hens of other indigenous breeds. The birds of the breed possess the ability to survive and perform in a low input system of production and in harsh environments.
Ghagus
Native Tract:
Found in the Kolar district, and adjoining locations of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Characteristics
The plumage colour is mainly brown, followed by black. The colour pattern is usually patchy in males and spotted in females.
Shining bluish black feathers are found on the breast, tail and thighs of cocks. The neck is covered with golden feathers.
Wattles are absent.
Comb is red and pea or single type.
Spur is short in cocks.
Average adult body weight �Cock: 2.16 ± 0.25 kg �Hens: 1.43 ± 0.81 kg.
Average age at first laying cycle: 5–7 months.
Number of eggs laid in one egg laying cycle of 20-26 days: 15–20.
Annual egg production: 45–60.
Average egg weight: 40.25 ± 2.39gms.
Cultural / Economic Significance
It is a breed reared mainly by the nomads of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The birds are maintained largely for eggs and/or game purposes and reared in a backyard farming system. The hens are fairly good layers
Gujuri
Native tract:
Baripada and Khunta blocks of Mayurbhanj district in Orissa
Characteristics
Birds of both sexes are active and alert with a well-proportioned body.
Plumage colour varies from dark brown to maroon throughout the body.
Buttercup comb is very common which is big in size and well developed in both sexes.
Wattles are bright red in colour, well rounded but smaller in size.
Eyes are small, round and brown in colour.
Body length: -Male: 66 cm -Female: 53 cm.
Height: -Male: 57 cm -Female: 54 cm.
Standard Weight: -Cock: 2.5 kgs -Hen: 1.5 kgs.
Egg laying age: 6 months.
Egg production: 15 – 20 per clutch; an average of 3 – 4 clutches in a year.
Average annual egg production: 80 to 100 eggs.
Egg shell colour: Light to medium brown.
Cultural / Economic Significance
Also known locally as Thusuri, Kadamkhadia, Khairi, Kalua and Bansabania. It is a dual purpose bird and used for both production of egg and meat. Males are good fighters and hence used for cock fighting. Most of the eggs produced are hatched since chicks fetch a better price than eggs. The birds show an excellent adaptability to their native environment, are tolerant to heat and cold.
Hansli
Native Tract:
Widely distributed in Udala and Kaptipada blocks of Mayurbhanj district in Orissa. Also found in varying numbers in other blocks of the same district as well as the adjacent district of Keonjhar.
Characteristics
Birds of both sexes are fairly long.
Body length: -Male: 71 to 74 cm -Female: 48 to 57 cm.
Height: -Male: 61 to 75 cm -Female: 45 to 63 cm.
Comb, wattles, face and earlobes are red. The birds of this breed are characterized by pea comb.
Beak and head are light yellow and eyes are light gray.
Standard Weight:�-Cock: 2.5 to 3 kgs -Hen: 1.75 to 1.85 kgs -Cockerels: 1.5 to 2 kgs�-Pullets: 1.2 to 1.4 kgs.
Egg laying age: 6 months.
Egg production: 10 – 20 per clutch; an average of 3 – 4 clutches in a year.
Average annual egg production: 50 to 60 eggs.
Egg shell colour: Light brown.
Cultural / Economic Significance
The males of the breed are very aggressive with high stamina and dogged fighting qualities and are used for cock fighting which is a popular sport in the region. All the eggs produced are hatched and rarely used for consumption, unless the weather conditions are adverse for a good hatch. Meat fetches a good price in the market since it is considered tastier than that of farm-bred chicken. Fighting cocks are sold at exorbitant prices, usually 3 to 4 times higher than when they are sold for meat purposes.
Harringhata Black
Native Tract:
Reared throughout West Bengal. The core-breeding tract comprises the northern part of North 24 Parganas and the southern part of Nadia districts of West Bengal.
Characteristics
Jet black in colour with red comb and wattles while the shanks are white in colour.
Average weight:
Cock: 1.5 kg -Hen: 1.2 kg.
Annual average egg production: 130.
Cultural / Economic Significance
A small bodied-black bird with typical features of a layer. The breed is very alert, highly mobile, and capable of escaping predator attack while scavenging. Farmers maintain the birds on scavenging with negligible supplements of crop residue and kitchen waste. The breed’s strong broodiness and mothering ability is used by farmers to hatch and brood eggs of other fowl and even ducks. The breed demonstrates effective tolerance to common diseases.
Kadaknath
Native Tract:
Bred by the tribals in the Jhabua and Dhar Districts of western Madhya Pradesh.
Characteristics
Day-old chicks are bluish to black with irregular dark stripes over the back.
Adult plumage varies from silver and gold-spangled to bluish-black without any spangling.
The skin, beak, shanks, toes and soles of feet are slate like in colour. The comb, wattles and tongue are purple. Most of the internal organs show intense black colouration, which is pronounced in trachea, thoracic and abdominal air-sacs, gonads and at the base of the heart and mesentery.
The blood is darker than normal. The black pigment is the result of melanin deposition.
Average adult body weight: -Cock : 1.5 kg -Hens: 1.0 kg.
Annual egg production: 80. Average egg weight: 46.8 gms
The eggs are light brown in colour.
Cultural / Economic Significance
The original name of the breed is Kalamasi, meaning a fowl with black flesh, which, though not very appealing to the eye, is very tasty. The bird is resistant to diseases in its natural habitat in free range conditions but is more susceptible to Marek's disease under intensive rearing conditions. Kadaknath chicken is said to contain many kinds of amino acids and vitamins and are a powerful source of protein. .
Kashmir Favorolla
Native Tract:
The indigenous chicken of Kashmir thrives at an altitude of 1,500 to 2,000 meters above sea level.
Characteristics
They are small sized birds with small single combs and wattles. Their feathered comb is the peculiarity of this breed.
Average adult weight:�-Cock: 1.72 ± 0.04 kg -Hen: 1.25 ± 0.02 kg.
Average egg weight: 46.06 ± 0.48 gms.
Cultural / Economic Significance
This breed is most suitable for cold climates and mountainous terrains.
Miri
Native Tract:
This bird is native to Assam, and specifically the Dhimaji, Lakhimpur and Upper Assam regions.
Characteristics
The body weight ranges from:�-DOC: 0.024 to 0.026 kg�-5 months: 0.7 to 0.8 kg�-10 months: 1.0 to 1.3 kg.
Average age at first laying cycle: 168 days.
Number of eggs laid in one egg laying cycle: 11 - 15.
Annual egg production: 60 - 70.
Average egg weight: 38.91 ± 1.94 gms.
Cultural / Economic Significance
This bird is reared by the Mishing or Miri Tribes of Assam
Nicobari
Native Tract:
As the name suggests, the bird is native to the Nicobar islands.
Characteristics
Brownish matte in colour.
Comparatively a smaller sized, short legged bird, somewhat round and compact in appearance with a stout neck.
Growth and Production Traits
Traits Backyard Deep Litter
DOC weight 34.4 ± 0.4gms 35.0 ± 0.3gms
Weight at 8 weeks 368.1 ± 5.9gms 487.7 ± 6.9gms
Female weight at maturity 1024.7 ± 7.5gms 1050.1 ± 7.9gms
Average age at first laying cycle 188.1 ± 2.4 days 187.8 ± 7.3 days
Annual egg production 151.5 ± 3.4 162.1 ± 5.9
Growing period mortality 12.4 ± 2.7% 8.9 ± 6.9%
Laying period mortality 9.5 ± 1.4% 6.5 ± 9.0%�
Cultural / Economic Significance
The bird is well adapted to the tropical environment of the Nicobar Islands and is a good layer among native breeds.
Phulbani
Native tract:
Mostly found in the districts of Phulbani and Boudh in Orissa.
Characteristics
Birds of both sexes are alert and active and vary from small to medium in size.
Length of the bird varies from 42 to 71 cm.
Plumage colour is varied, predominant being black, various shades of brown and white.
Based on comb types two varieties are recognized – rose comb and single comb. Combs are fairly large in males.
Wattle is poorly developed.
Standard Weight:�-Cock: 1.2 to 1.5 kg -Hen: 1.0 to 1.2 kg.
Egg laying age: 6 to 7 months.
Egg production: 8 – 12 per clutch; an average of 3 – 4 clutches in a year.
Average annual egg production: 40 eggs.
Egg shell colour: White.
Cultural / Economic Significance
Used for both production of eggs and meat. Females are broody hence used for hatching and rearing of chicks. Cocks are rarely used for fighting. The birds are reared in the smallholder production system and are well adapted to their environment. Flock size varies from 4 to 30 birds..
Punjab Brown
Native Tract:
Found in rural areas of Gurdaspur in Punjab, and in Ambala and Yamunanagar in Haryana.
Characteristics
Plumage colour is mostly brown and the pattern is usually solid but is sometimes spotted or striped. Males in particular have black spots/stripes on their neck, wings and tail.
The comb is red, of single type and erect in position.
Average flock size: 9 birds.
Average Weight:�-Cock: 2.15±0.94 kg -Hen: 1.57±0.04 kg.
Average age at first laying cycle: 5 – 6 months.
Clutch size: 4 - 5.
Annual egg production : 60 - 80.
Average egg weight: 46.0±1.91gms.
Egg shell colour is mostly light brown.
Cultural / Economic Significance
A multi-purpose breed, yielding good quality meat and eggs. Birds are reared in the backyard system and shelter is provided only at night in the form of small enclosures mostly made up of mud and sometimes of wood.
.
Red Junglefowl
Native Tract:
Native to Southern and Southeast Asia and in India it is found in east Arunachal Pradesh, Orissa and the forests of Chhattisgarh. The red junglefowl inhabits tropical and subtropical habitats throughout its extensive range, including mangroves, scrubland and plantations, although it seems to prefer flat or gently sloping terrain, forest edges and secondary forest. It is also found in the foothills of the Himalayas.
Characteristics
Average length: �Cock: 65 – 75 cm -Hen: 42 – 46 cm.
Average weight:�Cock: 672 – 1,450 g -Hen: 485 – 1,050 g.
The vibrant male has a long, golden-orange to deep-red crown and neck feathers, and a dark metallic-green tail with a white tuft at the base. The under parts are a dull black while the upperparts are a combination of glossy blue-green, rich dark red, maroon-red, fiery orange and blackish brown.
The colourful cock also has vivid scarlet-red facial skin, throat, two lappets and a heavily dented fleshy crest (comb), and red or white ear patches on the sides of the head.
The rather drab female is a dull brown-gold colour with a partly naked, pale red face and throat.
Hens produce four to seven, eggs per clutch, which are incubated for 18 to 20 days by the female only. At twelve weeks of age, the young are chased out of the social group by their mother, and go off to join another group or form their own.
Cultural / Economic Significance
A tropical member of the Pheasant family, and is widely believed to be a direct ancestor of the domestic chicken. It was first raised in captivity at least several thousand years ago in the Indian subcontinent, and the domesticated form has been used around the world as a productive food source for both meat and eggs. The red junglefowl lives in small mixed flocks during the non-breeding season. These have a hierarchical social system in which there is a ‘pecking order’ for both males and females. In the spring, at the onset of the breeding season, each of the stronger cocks maintains a territory with three to five hens. Meanwhile, young cocks live isolated in twos and threes.
Red junglefowl forage on the ground for seeds, fruit and insects, using their feet to scratch away leaf-litter in search of food. Junglefowl have been extensively used in medical research benefiting mankind.
Ankleshwar
Native Tract:
The native tract is Bharuch and Narmada districts of Gujarat. The name of the breed is derived from the Ankleshwar region of district Bharuch. The breeding range extends to Jumbusar, Zagadia, Bharuch, Hansot and Valia of Bharuch and Dediapada, Rajpipla, Tilakwada and Nadod of the Narmada district of Gujarat.
Cultural / Economic Significance
These birds are mainly reared by tribal communities in South Gujarat for backyard poultry farming. The estimated population in the Bharuch and Narmada districts of Gujarat, is 4,500 birds. They are maintained without vaccination and medication, and have reasonable feed efficiency as they survive on 25-30 gms of grains, scavenging and maintain excellent fertility.
Characteristics
Average Flock Size: 5 – 10 birds.
Comb shape is single, rose-coloured.
Annual egg production: 81.
Average age at first laying cycle: 181 days.
Average egg weight: 34.3 gms.
Fertility: 91.3%.
Hatchability of Fertile Eggs: 92.4%.
Body Weight (in grams):
Weeks 8 12 72
Male 542 885 1,800
Female 450 772 1,578
Tellicherry
Native Tract:
Found mainly in the Calicut district but also in the surrounding areas in Kannur and Malappuram districts of Kerala, and the adjoining Mahe region of Puducherry.
Characteristics
Plumage color is black with a shining bluish tinge on hackle, back and tail feathers.
Comb is red, single and large in size.
Average weight:
-Cock: 1.62 ±0.16 kg -Hen: 1.24±0.10 kg.
Eggs are tinted.
Annual egg production: 60 – 80.
Average egg weight: 40.02±0.94 gms.
Vezaguda
Native Tract:
Widely distributed in tribal and rural areas and even small towns of Malkangiri district and Jeypore subdivision of Koraput district of Orissa and even adjoining areas of the state of Andhra Pradesh.
Characteristics
Adult cocks are fairly large with majestic gait and high stamina.
Predominant plumage colours are black, brown and white.
Comb, wattles, face and ear lobes are red in colour, head is light red and beak yellow.
Pea comb is common, fairly large in size and firmly set.
Eyes are compact.
Body length: -Male: 70 to 91 cm Female: 52 to 70 cm.
Height: -Male: 67 to 77 cm Females: 47 to 56 cm.
Standard Weight: -Cock: 2.5 to 3.5 kg -Hen: 1.6 to 2.5 kg.
Egg laying age: 7 to 8 months.
Egg production: 8 – 15 per clutch; an average of 3 – 4 clutches in a year.
Average annual egg production: 50 to 60 eggs.
Egg shell colour: Light brown.
Cultural / Economic Significance
Most of the eggs produced are used for hatching chicks as they fetch a higher price than eggs. Eggs are consumed only when it is absolutely necessary (ceremonies or during sever summer when hatchability is poor). Males are mainly used for cock-fighting and are sold for a very high price (Rs 500 to 1,000). All the birds are maintained under smallholder production system with a flock size varying from 5 to 40. The breed is well adapted to the environment and capable of protecting itself from predators.