Indian Chicken Breeds
R. C. Kulkarni *
College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, MAFSU, Udgir, Maharashtra, 413 517, India.
K. Sai Siva Kumar
Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatanagr, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, 243 122, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Poultry development has been a household activity in India for a long time. In most developing and underdeveloped countries, indigenous chicken breeds significantly improve rural economies. Indigenous breeds can resist disease and utilize low-quality feeds. Backyard poultry eggs and their meat fetches higher prices than commercial poultry. Although they are associated with poor productivity in terms of the number of eggs laid, most consumers prefer them because of their delicious meat. Low risks and low inputs are significant advantages of indigenous chicken production. Considering the rapid loss of indigenous breeds and strains due to commercial strain and breed replacement, preserving these valuable genetic breed resources is crucial. In the presence of a selective breeding program, backyard or free-range birds could be more productive. In order to prevent their extinction, governments should encourage the conservation and further study of these breeds.
Keywords: Chicken, conservation, delicious meat, indigenous breeds, selective breeding