Black may be considered inauspicious by many in India, but when it comes to broiler chicken, Kadaknath – an all-black breed of fowl – is clucking, erm, clicking for poultry breeders in Gujarat.
On the verge of extinction at one point, the broiler chicken — whose nativity was the bone of contention between the states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh once — is gaining popularity here. The broiler chicken is unique because its feathers, skin, bones, blood and flesh are black. Its meat fetches twice the price of broiler chicken due to its high iron content and lower cholesterol levels compared to other breeds.
Poultry farmers of indian poultry industry here are rearing the birds in large numbers and selling them to restaurants and outlets in cities not only in Gujarat but also in other states. Nisarg Varia, who has around 16,000 Kadaknath chickens at his poultry farm in Panchmahal, said the breed is from Jhabua in MP. “I get the chickens from a government hatchery in Dahod which borders Jhabua. There is great demand for Kadaknath now,” he said.
He added, “We send the broiler chicken to Rajasthan. There are several high-end resorts and hotels that sell dishes made from Kadaknath chicken. The fowl made headlines recently when it came to light that cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni was looking to rear the breed at his poultry farm. ”
In Vadodara, NRI Sanjay Patel began rearing Kadaknath broiler chickens a few years ago. He also has an outlet selling its meat which used to sell frozen Kadaknath broiler chicken earlier but offers fresh cut broiler chicken now.
Umesh Jadav, who manages the outlet in Vadodara, said, “People initially asked for Kadaknath broiler chicken because they had heard of its unique look and qualities, and wanted to try it out. Some of them became regular customers. “Kadaknath is supposed to be healthier than other breeds of broiler chicken and many have started consuming it due to its health benefits,” he added.
Jadav said that a live Kadaknath broiler chicken fetches Rs 480 per kg against around Rs 240 per kg for a live white broiler chicken. “When dressed and cut, the chicken costs around Rs 700 per kg. It is a robust variety and can be reared easily in Gujarat’s climate,” said Jadav.
While a chicken broiler grows to 2. 5 kg in 60 days, Kadanath takes six months to attain 1 kg weight, he said, adding: “Its eggs can sell anywhere ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 50 or even more. ”
Taslim Mansuri, who deals in various broiler chicken varieties including Kadaknath, said that due to its demand, there are people who try to palm off cross-bred chicken as Kadaknath. “It is only after you cut open the fowl that you find out it is not a pure breed. If it is not authentic Kadaknath, you can see some white or pink in its meat. ”
He added that many people also kept Kadaknath in their farms as pets. “The black chicken looks good and is very different from others,” he said.
Source – timesofindia
