Giriraja Chicken Farming In Karnataka

Giriraja Chicken also known as Giriraja Koli in the Kannada language is the finest breed first developed by veterinary University in Bangalore, Karnataka.

The speciality of this breed is that it is coloured and weighs about 5 kgs and lays about 150 eggs yearly the eggs are slightly brownish in colour, and the breeders don't require any special care to look after them.

The bird adjusts to every climatic condition and they are disease resistant and people also say that the bird meat is nutritious.

The farming of the bird has given a chance for the youngsters and small farmers a source income because of its uniqueness. 

Giriraja Chicken Farming 

Since it is not possible for the small farmers to look after the birds at an early stage of their life, the nurseries or the poultries are best suitable for birds earliest rearing stage.

The eggs of the birds are given artificial heat for about 8 to 10 days, after 10 days the hatching takes place and chicks come out, the chicks require the clean atmosphere to sustain themselves, hence brooders are used, the brooders may be metal or wooden with a bulb to give enough heat to protect the chicks, sufficient drinkers and feeders should be arranged.

For feeding sufficient nutrients food with proteins and vitamins are fed to chicks so that they grow healthier, and clean and neat water should also be provided. 

After 40 days the chicks shall attain a body weight up to 600 grams and small farmers can take these chicks and can rear in their backyard, there should be one male chick for every four female.

If one wishes to start poultry they can leave the chicks in a shed with proper ventilation and arrangements should be made for their feeding.

The Giriraja Female chicken shall attain about 1.6 kgs up to 140 days and Giriraja Male chicken shall attain about 2 kgs up to 140 days.

The Giriraja Female chicken shall start to lay eggs from 140 to 180 days, these female birds lay about 140 to 150 eggs in a year, at 280 days the female bird weighs about 3 to 4 kg, and the male bird weighs about 4.5 to 5kgs at about 280 days.

Feeding

Giriraja Chicken naturally has a scavenging habit and picks up its own food, other than that it can be fed with Rice, Ragi, Wheat, Jowar and Vegetable waste. The bird may also be fed with Commercial layer.

Disease

In the first week of chik life, the chicks may develop Marke's disease, the Bursal disease in the second week and Rani khet disease in the 5th and 20th week, with proper vaccination these diseases can be tackled.

Financial Assistance

Various Banks and Co-operative societies in Karnataka provides financial assistance for the farming of Giriraja Chicken to the farmers who wish to run poultry.

Before providing any financial assistance the officials shall inspect the place where one wishes to start the farm and as per requirement and conditions loans are provided.

If one wishes to provide insurance to the birds they are several insurance companies who has a short term and long term insurance plans. 

Uses of Giriraja Chicken Farming

1. Provides income one who engages in the farming of these birds.

2. This bird meat is nutritious.

3. This bird lays eggs more than Country Chicken.

4. These birds are disease resistant.

My View

The farmers especially the youngsters who wish to show interest in farming the Giriraja Chicken can get maximum profits and it also generates income. only with a small effort, one can earn enough income for their livelihood.