December 29, 2021

 
Thalassery chicken breed from Kerala, India, gets national recognition

The All-India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) cell at Mannuthy under Kerala Veterinary and Animal Science University (KVASU) has won India's national breed conservation award (2021) for the conservation of Thalassery breed.

The breed is the only registered native chicken breed in Kerala.

The centre received the prestigious ICAR-NABGR (National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources) award for conserving the breed, which is now in its sixth generation.

"The Thalassery breed is unique for its low body and egg weight, and long broodiness compared to other indigenous varieties. Its comb and wattles are characterised by red colour," said Dr. Suja C.S., assistant professor at AICRP.

Each generation of Thalassery have around 650-700 female and 150-200 male birds. Following research and study and hatching of a new generation, the previous one will be culled.

"As a result of the continuous monitoring of the Thalassery chicken breed — providing feed on time, taking vaccination, etc — the birds begin laying eggs as early as five months and the annual egg production (per bird) has been increased to 160-170 now," said Dr. Suja. For other indigenous types, the egg-laying period is six to eight months, with an annual production 70-80 eggs only. 

Thriveni — the new crossbred chicken variety developed at AICRP — was a cross of Thalassery breed, White lagoon and Rhode Island Red. The centre has also initiated the genetic characterisation of Thalassery breed, which played an important role in the national award. 

AICRP had already started selling the hatched Thalassery chicks.

- The New Indian Express