Breeds of poultry grown in Nepal

The major commercial breeds are Cobb 100, Cobb 500, Kashila, Lohmann, H & N, Hyline, Marshall, and Rose308.

Three types of poultry breeds are raised in Nepal:

Local breed: Shakini, Ghanti khuile, Pwankh Ulte. Pure breed, and Synthetic breed.

Types and description of local breed

The native breeds of poultry are hardy in nature, suitable for scavenging and are dual purpose, with high meat quality. Following types of native poultry breeds are found in Nepal.

Shakini

Shakini is the principal chicken breed in the country. They are hardy and dual purpose suitable for meat (reputed for delicious meat) and eggs. They are found throughout the country. They have been characterized on phenotypic level. They are normal and are not at risk from conservation point of view. The local shakini breed of poultry is small in body size, different feather colour, hardy in nature. The egg production capacity is 70-80/ year. The average adult body weight is 1.5-2.0kg.

Ghanti Khuile

Ghanti khuile chicken is hardy and dual purpose suitable for meat and eggs. They are hardy and good for scavenging condition. They are found throughout the country. Their population is very low and needs conservation attention. The Ghanti Khuile breed of poultry is a typical bird with few feathers in neck, different feather color, hardy in nature, noted for delicacy of meat. The egg production capacity is 60-80/year. The average adult body weight of male is 1.6 and female is 1.30 kg.

Pwankh Ulte (Dumse)

Dumse chicken is hardy and dual purpose suitable for meat and eggs. They have ruffled feathers. They are found throughout the country in a small number. They are rarely found and need immediate conservation attention. The Pwankh Ulte breed of poultry is a typical bird with outward growth of feathers. The average adult body weight of male is 1.0 kg and female is 0.9kg.

Description of exotic poultry breeds

New Hampshire

It is an American breed, brown in colour. The average body weight of adult male is 3.8kg and female is 2.9kg. The egg production potentiality is 200eggs/year. At present the breeds are raised at Brooder Farm, Banke, Livestock Development Farm, Pokhara, Agriculture Centre, Khulmaltar, Agriculture Research Centre, Tarahara and Parwanipur.

Austrolorp

The breed is developed in Australia. The breed is black in colour. The average body weight of adult male is 3.8kg and female is 2.9 kg. The egg production potentiality is 200eggs/year. At present the breeds are raised at NARC research centre, Khumaltar, Tarahara and Parwanipur.

Giri Raja

It was introduced and tested by Pakhribas Agriculture Centre. At present the breeds are raised at NARC Research Centres, Pakhribas. [Source: http://bijeshmishra.wordpress.com/2013/0… ]