Giriraja rural chicken (Karnataka) Photo: placeholder pending image-fill pass

Giriraja rural chicken (Karnataka)

Giriraja is an improved dual-purpose rural chicken developed at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore (UAS-B) and the Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU), and is the dominant improved backyard variety in Karnataka. The bird is a coloured synthetic line bred for performance under low-input village rearing on scavenging plus modest supplementation, occupying the same niche in southern India as ICAR-DPR's Vanaraja (Vanaraja Rural Dual Purpose Chicken) and Gramapriya (Gramapriya Rural Layer).

Origin and distribution

Giriraja was developed by UAS-Bangalore in the 1980s using improved coloured strains and was later upgraded as Giriraja-II. The variety is multiplied at state poultry breeding farms in Karnataka and distributed through the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services to farmers across the state and into adjoining Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. Distribution is largely under state and central rural-poultry schemes, including the Rural Backyard Poultry Development component of the National Livestock Mission (National Livestock Mission).

Morphology

Plumage is multi-coloured — brown, black, white and barred patches — giving the bird an outdoor-camouflaged appearance suitable for free-range conditions. The body is heavier than that of typical desi chicken, with adult cocks reaching 3.0-3.5 kg and adult hens 2.0-2.2 kg by 20 weeks. Shanks are yellow and the comb is single.

Performance

Under backyard conditions on scavenging plus a modest supplement, hens lay 130-150 eggs per year, with annual production in semi-intensive units rising to about 160-180 eggs. Egg weight averages 55-58 g and shell colour is light brown. Age at first egg is 175-180 days. Cockerels reach a saleable weight of 1.5-2.0 kg in 12-14 weeks. Mortality under village rearing is low and the bird retains broody and predator-avoidance behaviour.

Management

Day-old chicks are brooded (Brooding Chicks) for 4-6 weeks on a starter ration before release to a fenced run or homestead area. A low-cost night shelter and clean drinking water are usually sufficient. Vaccination against Newcastle disease (Ranikhet Newcastle Disease), fowl pox and infectious bursal disease is essential. Giriraja is the most widely distributed rural poultry variety in Karnataka and is often paired with self-mixed feed (Self Mixed Poultry Feed) and a short brooding service from KVK mother units. The variety competes with Vanaraja and CARI Debendra (Cari Debendra Dual) for backyard placement in the south, with state preference often determining which variety is supplied under public schemes.

References

Giriraja — Rural Poultry Programme. University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore.
Rural Backyard Poultry. Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Government of Karnataka.