Anak
The Israeli Anak broiler line was a commercial broiler genotype developed by Anak Breeders in Israel and introduced to India in the late 1970s and 1980s. It offered good heat tolerance due to its genetic development in Mediterranean climates. However, its lack of local technical and breeding infrastructure prevented it from competing effectively with dominant localized Cobb lines, leading to its discontinuation. It is no longer commercially available.
Practical Overview & Field Action
Field Verification Checkpoints
- FCR Benchmarks: 2.10–2.25 (historical commercial conditions)
Breed Characteristics
Economic Importance
The Anak broiler was notable for its good heat tolerance — a beneficial trait in Indian conditions — developed through its Mediterranean genetic heritage. However, the absence of local grandparent multiplication hatcheries made chick distribution expensive and logistically challenging, ultimately leading to its withdrawal from the Indian market.
Overview
The Israeli Anak broiler line was a commercial broiler genotype developed by Anak Breeders in Israel and introduced to India in the late 1970s and 1980s. It offered good heat tolerance due to its genetic development in Mediterranean climates. Lack of local technical and breeding infrastructure prevented it from competing with dominant localized Cobb lines, leading to its discontinuation. It is no longer commercially available.
Origin
Developed by Anak Breeders (Israel). Alternate names include Israeli Anak.
Production Performance
| Historical Performance Metric | Average Target Range |
|---|---|
| Market Age | 6–7 weeks |
| Live Weight at 6–7 Weeks | 1.450–1.550 kg |
| FCR (Historical) | 2.10–2.25 |
Key Characteristics
- Heat Tolerance: Good — developed in Mediterranean climates; good survival under high heat stress compared to some European alternatives
- Leg Strength: Robust — low rates of skeletal issues
- General Immunity: Good — particularly to environmental and heat-induced stresses
Management Requirements
- Housing: Performed reasonably well in basic open-sided tropical systems
Health Considerations
- Good general immunity, particularly to environmental and heat-induced stresses
- Robust skeletal structure with low rates of skeletal issues
Economic Importance
While the breed's heat tolerance was beneficial, its overall profitability was limited by a lack of local grandparent multiplication hatcheries, making chick distribution expensive and logistically challenging, leading to its withdrawal.
Advantages
- Good heat tolerance and survival in hot dry climates
- Robust skeletal structure
Limitations
- Slower growth rate and lower carcass yield compared to modern lines
- Lack of local integrated breeding and hatchery infrastructure
- Discontinued and no longer commercially available
Best Suitable Farming Systems
- Historical note only — breed is discontinued and no longer commercially available
References
- Poultry production structure and technical performance in India — USDA Economic Research Service, 2004, USDA ERS
Review official commercial growth, feed intake, and FCR efficiency trajectories for Cobb 500, Ross 308, and VenCobb 430 with governed biophysical comparability.
Related Articles
Arbor Acres Plus
The Arbor Acres Plus is a commercial broiler genotype developed by Aviagen Group in the United States, first introduced in the 1990s and available in India since the late 1990s to early 2000s. It was bred to deliver balanced, cost-effective performance across a range of housing systems and environmental conditions. The latest genetic version is the Arbor Acres Plus (2012/2019 Performance Objectives).
CARIBRO-Dhanraja
CARIBRO-Dhanraja (also known as CARI Dhanraja or Dhanraja Coloured Broiler) is a multi-colored commercial broiler genotype developed by ICAR-Central Avian Research Institute (CARI), Izatnagar, in the 1990s. It was developed to support backyard and semi-intensive poultry farming in India. It is primarily utilized by small-to-medium-scale farmers who require a colored broiler that fetches a premium in local live-bird markets.
CARIBRO-Mritunjaya
CARIBRO-Mritunjaya (also known as CARI Mritunjai or Mritunjaya Broiler) is a commercial broiler genotype developed by ICAR-Central Avian Research Institute (CARI), Izatnagar, in the late 1990s to early 2000s. It incorporates the Naked Neck gene, which reduces feather coverage on the neck and body by approximately 20%–30%, improving the bird's ability to dissipate heat and survive in high temperatures. It was developed specifically for hot and dry agro-climatic zones of India.
CARIBRO-Tropicana
CARIBRO-Tropicana (also known as CARI Tropicana or Tropicana Broiler) is a commercial broiler genotype developed by ICAR-Central Avian Research Institute (CARI), Izatnagar, in the late 1990s to early 2000s. It incorporates both the Naked Neck and Frizzle genes, which significantly reduce feather coverage and modify feather structure to improve heat dissipation and survival in high temperature and humidity. It was developed specifically for hot and humid coastal and tropical regions of India.
CARIBRO-Vishal
CARIBRO-Vishal (also known as CARI Vishal or Vishal Broiler) is a commercial white-plumaged broiler genotype developed by ICAR-Central Avian Research Institute (CARI), Izatnagar, in the 1990s. It was developed to deliver balanced, cost-effective performance under Indian environmental and management conditions. It topped the 30th Random Sample Poultry Performance Test (RSPPT), demonstrating its genetic potential and adaptability.