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.
Practical Overview & Field Action
Field Verification Checkpoints
- FCR Benchmarks: 1.92 at 6 weeks (technical specifications); 2.16–2.50 at 6–7 weeks (research trial averages)
Breed Characteristics
Economic Importance
CARIBRO-Dhanraja is highly profitable for smallholders and rural communities, delivering reliable growth and production under low-input management. Its multi-colored plumage (yellow, black, and striped) fetches premium prices in local live-bird markets. Research has demonstrated that 6th-week body weight can be predicted early from juvenile body conformation traits like shank length and breast girth.
Overview
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 designed to support backyard and semi-intensive poultry farming in India. The latest genetic version is CARIBRO-Dhanraja (Coloured Plumage).
Origin
Developed by ICAR-CARI, Izatnagar. Alternate names include CARI Dhanraja and Dhanraja Coloured Broiler. Research has demonstrated that the 6th-week body weight of CARIBRO-Dhanraja broilers can be predicted early in the cycle from juvenile body conformation traits (shank length and breast girth), helping farmers optimize management and feed plans.
Production Performance
| Performance Parameter | Technical Specifications | Research Trial Averages |
|---|---|---|
| Market Age | 6–7 weeks | 6 weeks |
| Weight at 6 Weeks | 1.500–1.700 kg | 1.580–1.717 kg |
| Weight at 7 Weeks | 1.800–2.000 kg | 1.880–2.120 kg |
| FCR (Grow-out) | 1.92 (at 6 weeks) | 2.16–2.50 (at 6–7 weeks) |
| Livability Percentage | ≥97.0% | 95.0%–97.0% |
| Dressing Yield | 68.0%–70.0% | 67.0%–69.5% |
Key Characteristics
- Feather Color: Multi-colored (yellow, black, and striped) — camouflage against predators in free-range systems
- Growth Rate: Slow — slower than specialized commercial broilers
- Uniformity: Phenotypic variation in color and size
- Heat Tolerance: High — excellent general disease resistance and climate adaptability
- Leg Strength: Good — robust metabolic profile
Management Requirements
- Housing: Traditional open-sided and backyard systems; semi-intensive systems
- Brooding Temperature: 33°C on day one, reducing weekly
- Stocking Density: 1.2–1.3 sq. ft. per bird in semi-intensive systems
- Feed Program: In free-range systems, birds forage for food supplemented with local grains
Health Considerations
- Excellent general disease resistance and climate adaptability under variable field conditions
- Good leg strength with robust metabolic profile
- Newcastle Disease and Fowl Pox vaccinations highly recommended to prevent outbreaks
Economic Importance
Highly profitable for smallholders and rural communities. Multi-colored plumage fetches premium prices in local live-bird markets. Reliable growth and production under low-input management helps ensure consistent returns.
Advantages
- Premium prices in local markets due to attractive multi-colored plumage
- Excellent adaptability to varied housing and management systems
- High physical robustness and resistance to local diseases
- Developed specifically for Indian climate and disease conditions
Limitations
- Slower growth rate and higher FCR compared to specialized commercial broilers in intensive systems
- Phenotypic variation in color and size may not align with industrial processing demands
Best Suitable Farming Systems
- Traditional open-sided and backyard systems
- Semi-intensive farming
- Small-to-medium-scale operations in India's local live-bird markets
References
- ICAR-CARI Core Research Areas: Avian Genetics and Breeding — ICAR-Central Avian Research Institute, 2025, CARI Official Portal
- Prediction of market weight in CARIBRO-Dhanraja broilers using growth traits — ResearchGate Publication, 2018, ResearchGate
- AICRP on Poultry Breeding Annual Report 2016-17 — ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research, 2017, ICAR-DPR Library
Review official commercial growth, feed intake, and FCR efficiency trajectories for Cobb 500, Ross 308, and VenCobb 430 with governed biophysical comparability.
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