author(s)
Siddharth Ranabijuli, Nishiswapna Garanayak, Santosh Kumar Samantray and Swagatika Sahu

abstract
Backyard poultry farming is one of the most remunerative ventures for rural farmers. Many improved breeds are thriving in different climatic zone of the country with higher production and economic performances. Black chicken or Kadaknath breed has gained popularity in recent times and the same was assayed in the agro-climatic zone of Ganjam district, Odisha with an objective to study its performance and economic viability. The breed performed better than the compared native indigenous breed birds in terms of body weight gain and economic returns. Overall mortality of the said breed was lower (19%) as compared to the native breed (30%). Similarly the 180 day mean body weight of Kadaknath bird (1227.11±2.416 g) was higher compared to native birds (807.614±2.033 g). The Kadaknath birds showed higher degree of growth rate with increasing age fetching higher returns and producing entrepreneurship opportunities.