Kadaknath

Kadaknath, also called Kali Masi ("fowl having black flesh"), is an Indian breed of chicken. They originated from Dhar and Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh, Bastar (Chattisgarh) and the adjoining districts of Gujarat and Rajasthan, covering about 800 square miles (2,100 km2). These birds are mostly bred by the rural poor, tribals and adivasis. The Kadaknath is considered to be sacred; after Diwali it is sacrificed to the Goddess.[1] There are three varieties: jet black, golden and pencilled.[2] The breed's meat has a fat content of 0.73–1.03% compared to the 13–25% of most other chicken breeds. The meat from this breed has a geographical indication (GI Tag) tag that was approved by the Indian government on 30 July 2018.[3]

Kadaknath Chicken
Kadaknath a sibling of Ayam Cemani black chicken (black overall from top to inside including comb, beek, feathers with coloured shades, nails, most importantly of all its black meat).
Conservation statusHealth benefits and keeps younger. Ayam Cemani and Kadaknath are the same names of a black chicken with black meat and bones. Indians claimed it as their breed quite afterwards Indonesian introduced for its kings and royal families upbringing in the jungles of Indonesia.
Other namesBlack skin and meat chicken
NicknamesKali Masi of AC
Country of originIndia
StandardHaving black meat and natural organs
UseDual-purpose breed: eggs, meat for health
Traits
Weight
  • Male:
    1.8kg - 2kg
  • Female:
    1.2kg - 1.4kg
Skin colorGreyish Black feathers with a Turquoise glow on the neck and tail
Egg colorCream or white
Comb typeBlack
Classification
ABAKadaknath or Karaknath or Ayam Cemani black chicken
  • Black skin and meat and nails chicken
  • Ayam Cemani sibling

Breed

The Kadaknath is popular for its adaptability and its grey-black meat,[4] which is believed to infuse vigour.[5] Its colour is caused by melanin. The breed is considered to have originated from the Kathiwar Alirajapur jungles in Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh.[6]

The roosters weigh 1.8–2 kg (4.0–4.4 lb) and the hens 1.2–1.5 kg (2.6–3.3 lb).[6] Kadaknath hens' eggs are brown with a slightly pink tint;[6] they are poor setters and rarely hatch their own brood. Eggs weigh an average of 30–35 g (1.1–1.2 oz).[6]

Colour

Kadaknath birds are grey-black all over and have gold plumage with greenish iridescence. The greyish black colour is present in the legs and toenails, beak, tongue, comb and wattles; even the meat, bones and organs have grey colouration.

Threat of extinction

Due to the relatively high consumption of the breed, its numbers have sharply declined. To save the breed from extinction, the state government started a Kadaknath poultry breeding program involving 500 families who are below the poverty line, who were to receive financial support and assistance.[5]

Scams

Because of the limited availability and increased popularity of the breed since the mid-2000s, there have been multiple types of scams in which both poultry farmers and consumers have been swindled.[7][8][9][10]

References
  1. "Breeds Selection". ICAR-CCARI. Retrieved 2019-12-31.
  2. Parmar, S N S; Tolenkhomba, T C; M S Thakur; C G Joshi; D N Rank; J V Solanki; P N Srivastava; P V A Pillai (2007). "Analysis of genetic relationship among three varieties of indigenous Kadaknath breed using 25 chicken microsatellite markers" (PDF). Indian Journal of Biotechnology. 6: 205–209.
  3. "Famous Kadaknath chicken meat from Jhabua of C.G. gets Geographical Indication tag". The Financial Express. 2018-08-02. Retrieved 2018-08-04.
  4. Belsare, R. M.; Narayankhedkar, S.G. (2004). "Relative selection efficiency and expected selection estimates in Kadakanath breed of poultry". The Journal of Bombay Veterinary College. 12 (1–2): 64–65.
  5. Mahapatra, Dhananjay (2008-11-26). "For 'kadaknath' lovers, party no bar". The Times of India. Retrieved 2019-12-31.
  6. "कड़कनाथ मुर्गीपालन" (in Hindi). Retrieved 2019-12-30.
  7. "'Kadaknath' chicken scheme fraud: Four officials of poultry firm held after farmers lodge FIRs". Mumbai Mirror.
  8. "Kadaknath poultry scam: Farmers who took loan to invest worst hit". The New Indian Express.
  9. "Kadaknath poultry scam: One more case registered in Satara district | Kolhapur News - Times of India". The Times of India.
  10. India, Press Trust of (September 17, 2019). "Kadaknath chicken scam: three arrested for duping farmers" – via Business Standard.


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