The Livestock Research Institute of Bangladesh has developed a new domestic breed of chicken (deshi murgi) and is now marketing it experimentally. Invented in the laboratory, the chicken’s feathers are multi-colored, hence the name ‘Multi Color Table Chicken.’
Shakila Farooq, chief scientific officer of the poultry production department at the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI), said the new breed was essentially a meat breed. It quickly attains full size i.e. is edible. He said, “It has been invented keeping in mind the demand for chicken meat in the country. This chicken will be ready to eat in eight weeks, which means 58 days. ”
Features of multi color table chicken (New deshi murgi):
- Chief scientific officer of the Livestock Research Institute said the chicken was originally developed to meet the demand for meat in the country.
- Multi color table chicken grows very fast. It will be produced for eating meat, not used for eggs. In eight weeks, it weighs about nine hundred and fifty grams to one kilogram.
- Its taste and quality of meat is similar to that of native chicken (Original Deshi Murgi).
- The body structure of the chicken, lips and crests like the native chicken, its feathers are also of many colors.
- This chicken looks like a native breed of chicken. Some people call this chicken a native broiler.
- BLRI has estimated that a poultry farmer will be able to earn Tk45,000-60,000 per 1,000 chickens of the newly introduced chicken breed.
The Livestock Research Institute started research on the first new breed of chicken in 2014. After the success of the laboratory in 2018, experimental production was started at the field level. Initially, it was produced and marketed experimentally in Khulna, Barisal and Pabna. The Multi color table chicken is now being produced on a very small scale.
At present four government farms and two private farms are producing new breeds of chickens. The Livestock Research Institute has signed a memorandum of understanding with Aftab Multipurpose Farms for commercial production and experimental marketing. The Livestock Research Institute is still conducting joint research with this institute.
In the development of new breeds, germplasm of foreign breeds and some domestic breeds of chickens have been combined. Multi color table chicken is compatible with the climate of Bangladesh and the mortality rate of this chicken is much less. Research so far has shown that the mortality rate of multi-colored table chickens up to eight weeks of age is below 2 percent.
Difference with broilers and other chickens:
- The demand and consumption of chicken in Bangladesh has increased manifold in the last one decade. These include broiler chickens (farm), domestic chickens (deshi murgi), golden chickens, (sonali) also known as Pakistani chickens. There are several differences between these chickens.
- Broiler chickens get ready to be eaten in 28-32 days, i.e. during that period the weight of broiler chickens is one to one and half kg. It takes 60-70 days for a golden chicken (Sonali) to reach one kg weight. But it will take at least eight weeks to market Multi color table chicken (New deshi murgi).
- The meat and bones of broiler chickens are soft, but the meat and bones of multi-colored table chicken are as hard as those of native chickens.
- Raising broiler chickens requires large space, controlled temperature and light and air, but these chickens can be reared in open space like native breeds.
- According to the Livestock Research Institute, these chickens are easy to raise, making them easier for marginal farmers and more likely to benefit financially.
- People in Bangladesh like native chickens but their prices are quite high. But this new breed will help in meeting the protein demand of the people of Bangladesh.
The Livestock Research Institute is working on the innovation of several breeds of chickens in Bangladesh. Among them are two new breeds of laying hens – Swarna and Shuvra, developed by the Livestock Research Institute. At the moment, work is underway to develop three breeds of common desi, gala chila and heli or hill breeds.
The new chicken-breed – BLRI Multicolor Table Chicken – aims to bring back the old taste and quality chicken meat for general consumers.
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