Poultry Breeds in India: Diversity in Meat Production

India’s poultry sector is one of the most dynamic segments of its agricultural economy. From the backyard flocks in rural Andhra Pradesh to large integrated farms in Maharashtra, the country raises a wide diversity of bird species – each with distinct traits suited to different production goals. While chickens dominate the landscape, ducks, turkeys, quails, geese, and guinea fowls also contribute to this rich mosaic of poultry farming. Understanding the breeds behind India’s meat and egg output is fundamental to appreciating how the sector operates, and why certain birds are preferred for certain purposes.

The scope of poultry in India 🔗

Poultry refers to any domesticated bird raised for meat, eggs, or feathers – including chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, guinea fowls, and quails. In India, chickens dominate poultry production, contributing nearly 95% of total egg output, with ducks and other species accounting for the remainder. Species like turkeys, guinea fowls, ostriches, and emus are reared only in small numbers, typically in areas where there is a specific local market demand. India produced approximately 142.77 billion eggs and 4.5 million tonnes of broiler meat in 2023-24, making it the second largest egg producer and the fifth largest broiler producer globally.

Classification of chicken breeds 🔗

Chickens in India are broadly grouped into four geographical classes: American, Mediterranean, English, and Asiatic. Within these classes, breeds are further classified by their primary utility – egg type (e.g. White Leghorn), meat type (e.g. Cornish, Plymouth Rock), dual-purpose (e.g. Rhode Island Red, New Hampshire), game birds (e.g. Aseel), and desi or indigenous types (e.g. Kadaknath, Naked Neck). India is home to around 30 chicken breeds, including approximately 20 registered indigenous breeds, with only four recognized as pure native: Kadaknath, Aseel, Busra, and Chittagong.

Key exotic chicken breeds in India 🔗

Exotic or introduced breeds form the backbone of India’s commercial poultry industry. These breeds have been selected over generations for high output – either in egg laying, rapid meat growth, or both. Several have been widely adopted by Indian farmers due to their adaptability and productivity.

Rhode Island Red – the dual-purpose workhorse 🔗

The Rhode Island Red (RIR) is arguably the most well-known poultry breed worldwide and has a significant presence in India. Originally developed in Massachusetts and Rhode Island in the 1880s and 1890s from Malay, Shanghai, Java, and Brown Leghorn crosses, the RIR was designed as a bird that could produce a high number of eggs while also yielding good-quality meat. Traditional heritage-type hens can lay 200-300 eggs per year starting from around six months of age. Cocks typically weigh around 3.85 kg and hens around 2.95 kg.

In India, the RIR is valued particularly in small and semi-commercial farms where a single breed must serve multiple purposes. It is also used extensively in crossbreeding programs – research has shown that crossbreeding native Indian breeds with Rhode Island Reds is one of the most effective methods of improving both egg and meat production in indigenous flocks. The breed is hardy, handles variable diets and climate conditions well, and remains a top choice for farmers seeking reliable returns.

White Leghorn – the premier egg layer 🔗

The White Leghorn, originating from the Mediterranean class, is the most widely used laying breed in commercial Indian poultry farming. Leghorns can produce 250-300 eggs per year under optimal conditions, with eggs that are white, medium-sized, and of excellent shell quality. They have a small, light body frame, which means their feed-to-egg conversion is highly efficient – an important factor in large-scale layer operations. While their meat yield is limited due to their lean build, their role in egg production is unmatched. The ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research has developed stress-detection systems specifically for commercial White Leghorn layer birds, reflecting how central this breed is to India’s industrial egg production infrastructure.

Cornish – the meat production specialist 🔗

The Cornish breed, classified under the English class, is primarily valued for its exceptional meat qualities. It has a heavy, broad-breasted body with dense muscle mass – characteristics that make it the standard choice for commercial broiler production. Modern commercial broilers are produced by crossing male Cornish with female Plymouth Rock, a pairing that delivers fast growth, high feed conversion efficiency, and a well-muscled carcass. Broilers derived from this cross typically reach 2.0 to 2.5 kg at 6-8 weeks of age with a feed conversion ratio of around 1.8 to 2.0. The Cornish is not a prolific egg layer and is reared almost exclusively for meat. Its influence on the broiler industry – in India and globally – is profound, as virtually every commercial broiler strain has Cornish genetics at its foundation.

Indigenous chicken breeds of India 🔗

India’s native breeds are genetically distinct, deeply adapted to local conditions, and hold significant cultural and economic value – particularly in rural and tribal communities. They generally grow more slowly and lay fewer eggs than exotic breeds, but their meat is prized for its flavor, texture, and nutritional profile.

Aseel – the muscular native 🔗

Aseel is best known for its pugnacity, majestic gait, and high stamina, with the finest specimens found in Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Cocks weigh 4-5 kg and hens 3-4 kg, making them relatively heavy birds. Aseel is celebrated for its muscular, high-quality meat, though it is rarely used for commercial egg production due to low productivity. Research comparing Aseel with commercial broilers found that Aseel’s dressing percentage is comparable to that of broilers at around 69.5%, with meat that is higher in protein and lower in fat – qualities that fetch premium prices in niche markets.

Kadaknath – the black-fleshed delicacy 🔗

Kadaknath, whose original name is Kalamasi (meaning “fowl with black flesh”), is native to Madhya Pradesh and is perhaps the most distinctive poultry breed in India. It received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2018 for its unique black meat, black bones, and black feathers – a trait caused by a genetic condition called fibromelanosis. Kadaknath meat contains more protein, less fat, and is richer in multiple amino acids – including those responsible for sweet and umami taste – than commercial broiler meat. It produces around 80 eggs per year, making it a poor layer but a prized meat bird. Its ability to thrive under low-input, free-range farming systems makes it well-suited for tribal and rural settings.

ICAR-developed synthetic breeds for rural farming 🔗

Recognizing that neither pure exotic breeds nor pure native breeds optimally serve India’s diverse farming conditions, the ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research has developed several improved synthetic varieties. Vanaraja is a multi-colored dual-purpose bird developed for backyard and semi-intensive rural farming, capable of adapting to harsh climates with a lower plane of nutrition. Gramapriya is a layer-type variety designed for free-range conditions, laying brown eggs with an average weight of 55-60 g. Krishibro is a meat-type bird for small-scale intensive farming, reaching around 2 kg at 7 weeks. These breeds bridge the gap between the productivity of exotic breeds and the resilience of native ones.

Other poultry species in India 🔗

While chickens lead India’s poultry sector, other species contribute meaningfully to regional production and diversified livelihoods.

Ducks 🔗

Ducks are concentrated in states along the eastern and southern coast, including West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Indigenous duck breeds include the Kuttanad ducks (Chara and Chempalli) of Kerala, the Nageswari of northeastern states, and the Aarani ducks of Tamil Nadu. Among exotic breeds, Khaki Campbell and Indian Runner ducks are prolific egg layers, each averaging around 300 eggs per year. Meat-type ducks such as Muscovy, Aylesbury, Pekin, and Rouen are raised for their superior flesh yield.

Turkeys 🔗

Turkey farming in India is limited but growing in specific pockets with market demand, particularly in tribal regions of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and the northeast. Common breeds include the Broad Breasted Bronze and the Beltsville Small White. The Beltsville Small White is a medium-sized turkey with white feathers, where toms weigh 10-12 kg and hens 7-8 kg at maturity, and it produces more eggs than the Broad Breasted Bronze, making it more practical for breeding programs.

Japanese quail 🔗

Quail farming has gained steady traction in India for both meat and egg production. The Central Avian Research Institute (CARI) imported Japanese quail from California in 1974, and since then, several varieties have been developed for Indian conditions – including CARI Uttam, CARI Pearl, CARI Brown, and CARI Sunheri. Quails reach marketable weight at just 5 weeks, produce around 280 eggs per year, and require minimal space – making them highly viable for small and marginal farmers.

India’s poultry production hotspots 🔗

Poultry farming in India is not uniformly distributed – production is concentrated in a handful of high-output states. Andhra Pradesh leads in egg production with a 17.85% national share, followed by Tamil Nadu (15.64%), Telangana (12.87%), West Bengal (11.37%), and Karnataka (6.62%) – together contributing over 64% of India’s total egg output according to BAHS Statistics 2024 from the Government of India’s Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. For meat production, Maharashtra leads overall poultry production, followed by Haryana, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. Punjab has historically been significant in both egg and broiler production, benefiting from its strong grain surplus for feed. States like Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have established large commercial farms, improved cold storage facilities, and developed export markets, with southern states leading in technology adoption and supply chain development.

The industry structure and research backbone 🔗

India’s poultry industry is supported by an extensive infrastructure. The country has a network of around 600 hatcheries, 10,000 veterinary pharmaceutical suppliers, 130 feed mills, and a robust system of education and research institutes. Feed accounts for 65-70% of broiler production costs, with maize and soybean meal as the primary ingredients. Vertically integrated companies like Suguna Foods and IB Group now contribute to nearly 80% of India’s organised poultry meat production, controlling breeding, feed, rearing, processing, and retail under a single structure. The ICAR-Central Avian Research Institute (CARI), established in 1979 at Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, continues to lead genetic improvement, disease research, and development of region-specific feed formulations to support both commercial and rural poultry sectors.

What do you think? With India’s native breeds like Kadaknath and Aseel gaining recognition for their superior meat quality and nutritional profile, do you think indigenous breeds could compete with commercial broilers in mainstream markets? And as integrated poultry companies expand further into rural areas, what role should small and marginal farmers play in shaping India’s future poultry landscape?

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