Kadaknath

{{Short description|Breed of chicken}} {{For|other dark-meat chickens|Black chicken (disambiguation){{!}}Black chicken}}

{{infobox poultry breed | name = Kadaknath Chicken | image = கடக்நாத் சேவல்.jpg | image_size = | alt = | image_caption = | status = | altname = Black chicken/black hen | country = India | distribution = | standard = | use = Dual-purpose breed: eggs, meat | nickname = Kali Masi | apa = | aba = | aps = | ee = | pcgb = | maleweight = 1.8kg - 2kg | femaleweight = 1.2kg - 1.4kg | skincolor = Greyish Black with a Turquoise glow | eggcolor = Cream | comb = | note = }}

'''Kadaknath''', also called '''Kali Masi''' ("fowl having black flesh"), is an Indian breed of chicken. They originated from Dhar and Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh. These birds are mostly bred by the rural and tribals.<ref>{{cite web |title=Breeds Selection |url=http://agrigoaexpert.res.in/icar/category/animals_husbandry/animal_production/poultry/chicken/backyard/breed.php |publisher=ICAR-CCARI |access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref> There are three varieties: jet black, golden and pencilled.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Indian Journal of Biotechnology |volume=6 |year=2007 |pages=205–209 |title=Analysis of genetic relationship among three varieties of indigenous Kadaknath breed using 25 chicken microsatellite markers |author1=Parmar, S N S|author2=Tolenkhomba, T C|author3=M S Thakur| author4= C G Joshi| author5= D N Rank|author6=J V Solanki| author7= P N Srivastava| author8= P V A Pillai|url= http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/3029/1/IJBT%206(2)%20205-209.pdf}}</ref> The meat from this breed has a geographical indication (GI Tag) tag that was approved by the Indian government on 30 July 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/famous-kadaknath-chicken-meat-from-jhabua-of-mp-gets-geographical-indication-tag/1267723/ |title=Famous Kadaknath chicken meat from Jhabua of C.G. gets Geographical Indication tag|date=2018-08-02 |work=The Financial Express |access-date=2018-08-04 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Breed== The Kadaknath is popular for its adaptability and its grey-black meat,<ref>{{cite journal|url= http://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx?target=ijor:jbvc&volume=12&issue=1and2&article=023 |last1=Belsare |first1=R. M. |first2=S.G. |last2=Narayankhedkar |year=2004 |title=Relative selection efficiency and expected selection estimates in Kadakanath breed of poultry |journal=The Journal of Bombay Veterinary College |volume=12 |issue=1–2 |pages=64–65}}</ref> which is believed to infuse vigour.<ref name="timesindia">{{cite news|url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/For-kadaknath-lovers-party-no-bar/articleshow/3757718.cms |title=For 'kadaknath' lovers, party no bar |last=Mahapatra |first=Dhananjay |date=2008-11-26 |work=The Times of India |access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref> Its colour is caused by melanin. The breed is considered to have originated from the Kathiwar Alirajapur jungles in Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh.<ref name=KPC>{{Cite web |url=https://www.kvkjhabua.org/2018/09/Kadkanath-Poultry-Chicks.html |title=कड़कनाथ मुर्गीपालन |language=hi |access-date=2019-12-30 |archive-date=2019-12-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230182635/https://www.kvkjhabua.org/2018/09/Kadkanath-Poultry-Chicks.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The roosters weigh {{cvt|1.8|-|2|kg|lb}} and the hens {{cvt|1.2|-|1.5|kg|lb}}.<ref name=KPC /> Kadaknath hens' eggs are brown with a slightly pink tint;<ref name=KPC /> they are poor setters and rarely hatch their own brood. Eggs weigh an average of {{cvt|30|-|35|g|oz}}.<ref name=KPC />

===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, blood and organs have black colouration.

==Threat of extinction== Due to the relatively high consumption of the breed, its numbers have sharply declined throughout the years. 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.<ref name="timesindia"/>{{when|date=December 2019}}

==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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/other/kadaknath-chicken-scheme-fraud-four-officials-of-poultry-firm-held-after-farmers-lodge-firs/articleshow/71164600.cms|title='Kadaknath' chicken scheme fraud: Four officials of poultry firm held after farmers lodge FIRs|website=Mumbai Mirror}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2019/sep/15/kadaknath-poultry-scam-farmers-who-took-loan-to-invest-worst-hit-2033835.html|title=Kadaknath poultry scam: Farmers who took loan to invest worst hit|website=The New Indian Express|date=15 September 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolhapur/kadaknath-poultry-scam-one-more-case-registered-in-satara-district/articleshow/71029721.cms|title=Kadaknath poultry scam: One more case registered in Satara district | Kolhapur News - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=8 September 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/kadaknath-chicken-scam-three-arrested-for-duping-farmers-119091701521_1.html|title=Kadaknath chicken scam: three arrested for duping farmers|newspaper=Business Standard India |date=September 17, 2019|via=Business Standard|agency=Press Trust of India }}</ref>

== References == {{reflist|colwidth=35em}}

Category:Chicken breeds originating in India Category:Chicken breeds