🐔meatindigenous backyard📍 Origin: Madhya Pradesh (Jhabua, Dhar)
Kadaknath Chicken
कड़कनाथ मुर्गा (कालामासी) • Developed by Indigenous tribal breed of Bhil and Bhilala communities (GI Tagged)
Iconic black meat chicken ("Kalamasi") containing unique melanin pigmentation across meat, skin, bones, and blood
DOC Chick Price
₹45 – ₹70
Mature live bird: ₹700 to ₹1200
Pashu KCC Credit:₹150 / bird
Market Body Weight
1.5 kg
At 20 weeks
Target FCR
3.80
Feed conversion index
Annual Eggs
105
Per hen/year
Egg Weight
44 g
Average egg weight
Flock Livability
94%
Standard survival rate
Adult Weights
2.2 kg
Hen: 1.6 kg
Morphology & Anatomy
Physical Identification & Anatomical Features: Kadaknath Chicken
Plumage & Color
Jet black with greenish-iridescent sheen (Jet Black, Pencilled, and Golden varieties)
Comb Type
Single comb, dark purplish-black or bluish-black
Shanks & Skin
Deep slate grey to black shanks and toes
Egg Shell Color
Tinted creamy brown to light brown (moderate size)
Key Advantages & Characteristics of Kadaknath Chicken:
✓Iconic black meat chicken ("Kalamasi") containing unique melanin pigmentation across meat, skin, bones, and blood
✓High protein (25% vs 18% regular chicken), low fat (0.73%–1.03%), and very low cholesterol (184 mg/100g vs 218 mg regular)
✓Rich in essential amino acids, iron, and carnosine, widely prescribed in Ayurveda for respiratory and cardiovascular health
✓Commands massive retail price premium (₹800 to ₹1,200 per adult live bird; ₹70 to ₹100 per egg)
Economics & P&L Balancer
Batch Profit & Feed Calculator for Kadaknath Chicken
Pre-configured with Kadaknath Chicken benchmark weight (1.5 kg) and standard rearing metrics. Adjust batch size to estimate your farm returns.
🐔 ICAR-CARI Avian Engine•FCR & Profit Calculator
Kadaknath Chicken Flock Profit Calculator
Calculate feed bags, FCR costs, and net farm revenue for Kadaknath Chicken.
Broiler Batch Inputs
Batch Size (मुर्गियों की संख्या)1,000 birds
500Standard: 2,000 to 5,00020,000
Target Body Weight (तौल)1.50 kg
1.5 kg (Small)2.2 kg (Standard 42-day)3.0 kg (Heavy)
Target FCR (फीड कन्वर्जन रेशियो)1.62
1.45 (Elite EC Shed)1.62 (Average)1.90 (High)
Day-Old Chick (DOC) Price₹35 / chick
Average Feed Cost₹38 / kg
Live Market Selling Price₹105 / kg live
Mortality Rate3.5%
Total Feed Required
47 Bags
2,346 kg total
Cost of Production
₹94.02/kg
₹141.1 / bird
EPEF Performance Index
213
Standard
Batch Profit & Loss Summary
965 Marketable Birds (1,448 kg)
Profit / Bird
₹16.5
Total Revenue
₹152.0k
@105/kg
Total Costs
₹136.1k
Chicks + Feed + Overhead
Net Batch Profit
₹15,892
10.5% Margin
Annualized Profit (6 Batches/Year):₹95,352 / year
💡 Broiler Management Benchmarks
- ✓Target FCR of 1.62 requires strict feed management; each 0.05 FCR improvement saves ₹2,751 in batch feed costs.
- ✓Ensure 1.0 sq. ft. floor space per bird and clean drinking water chlorination (1–2 ppm residual chlorine).
- ✓EPEF Rating: 213 (Needs Optimization).
Nutrition & Feed
Nutrient Standards & Feeding Phases
Pre-Starter Feed / Bird:500 g
Starter Feed / Bird:2000 g
Finisher Feed / Bird:3500 g
Recommended Protein (CP %):18% to 20%
Management Tips
Scientific Farm Management Tips
- ✓Provide open fenced grazing run (1.5 sq. ft. shed + 5 sq. ft. open run per bird) with green Azolla, drumstick leaves, and termites
- ✓Avoid high-energy broiler feeds which cause excessive internal abdominal fat instead of lean muscular development
- ✓Procure authenticated Day-Old Chicks (DOC) only from certified government hatcheries (KVK Jhabua or CARI Izatnagar)
Subsidies & Credit
Government Schemes & Pashu KCC for Kadaknath Chicken
50% capital subsidy under NLM for establishing 1,000-parent breeding farms with hatchery
Eligible Scheme 1National Livestock Mission (NLM 50% Subsidy)
Eligible Scheme 2MP State Kadaknath Conservation Project
Eligible Scheme 3Pashu KCC
Questions Answered
Frequently Asked Questions about Kadaknath Chicken
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
The black color is caused by hyperpigmentation known as Fibromelanosis, a genetic condition where melanin pigment deposits heavily throughout connective tissue, muscle fascias, periosteum bones, tongue, and visceral organs.
Kadaknath grows slower than industrial broilers. It reaches 1.3 to 1.5 kg live market weight in 18 to 22 weeks (4.5 to 5 months) on balanced feed and greens.
Day-old chicks (DOC) cost ₹50 to ₹70 each. Mature live birds (1.5 kg) sell for ₹800 to ₹1,200 each, while fertile eggs sell for ₹60 to ₹100 each in urban metropolitan markets.
Explore Other indigenous backyard Breeds
View All 8 Breeds →Track Your Kadaknath Chicken Flock Records on KisanPe
Log weekly feed intake, calculate batch FCR, schedule vaccinations, and apply for collateral-free Pashu KCC loans on the KisanPe App.