Vanaraja is an improved chicken variety, not a breed. ICAR's Directorate of Poultry Research (ICAR-DPR) in Hyderabad developed it for free-range backyard farming in villages and tribal areas, as a hardy, multicoloured bird kept for both meat and eggs (ICAR-DPR). Farmers' chicks come from crossing two parent lines that ICAR-DPR keeps, PD-1 and PD-2 (ICAR-DPR).
How to recognise it
- Colour: multicoloured feathers (ICAR-DPR). Many country hens are multicoloured too, so colour alone does not prove a bird is Vanaraja.
- Eggs: brown-shelled (ICAR-DPR).
- Adult weight: cocks about 2.2–2.5 kg and hens about 1.8–2.0 kg (ICAR-DPR).
- Growing birds: about 650–750 g at 6 weeks (ICAR-DPR leaflet). In farmers' backyards, cocks reach 1.5–1.8 kg at 12 weeks (ICAR-DPR).
What it is good for
- Meat and eggs. ICAR-DPR calls it a dual-purpose variety (ICAR-DPR).
- Eggs in the backyard. A hen lays about 100–110 eggs a year under free-range conditions (ICAR-DPR, ICAR-DPR leaflet). That is the figure for birds foraging in backyards, not for caged birds on full feed.
- Meat. Cocks are ready for market at about 12 weeks (ICAR-DPR).
- Two ways to keep it. Where a backyard has plenty of natural feed, 10–20 birds can be kept free-range for eggs. Where buyers want meat, Vanaraja can be raised in a shed on balanced feed until it reaches market weight (TANUVAS review).
- Hardy. It suits harsh, varied climates and has been taken up in every climatic zone of India, from Jammu and Kashmir to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ICAR-DPR).
Where it is mainly found
Vanaraja has no home district: it was bred at ICAR-DPR in Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, and is raised across India. ICAR-DPR says about 38 lakh Vanaraja birds have gone to farmers, and that it has supplied 3.17 lakh Vanaraja parent birds to government agencies (ICAR-DPR). In South India, TANUVAS's poultry college at Hosur had supplied 7,12,354 Vanaraja and Gramapriya chicks to farmers in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh by March 2022 (TANUVAS). Because of demand around Tirunelveli, TANUVAS's veterinary college there also hatches Vanaraja and Gramapriya eggs for farmers (TANUVAS review).
Looking for Vanaraja chickens?
Vanaraja is an improved bird bred by a research institute, and farmers in many states raise it. Search “Vanaraja” in the Kattutharai app to find birds near you, or see all chickens for sale. The seller names the breed and Kattutharai does not check it, so look at the birds yourself before you pay.
Rearing tips
- Brood the chicks first. Chicks need warmth, feed and protection from predators. Spread 2–3 inches of rice husk, sawdust or clean sand on the floor, cover it with old newspaper, and give heat inside a brooder guard (ICAR-DPR leaflet). Keep them under the brooder for about 6 weeks before letting them out (TANUVAS review).
- Then free range. Keep 10–20 birds per household, depending on your space and the natural feed around it (ICAR-DPR leaflet).
- A night shelter. Shut the birds in at night against predators. Give 20–30 g of grain each in the evening, and clean water every morning before you let them out (ICAR-DPR leaflet).
- Chick feed from local grain. ICAR-DPR's leaflet suggests about 50 parts grain (maize, bajra, jowar, ragi or broken rice), 20 parts bran, 28 parts oilcake and 2 parts vitamin and mineral mixture (ICAR-DPR leaflet).
- Prevent disease. Clean the night shelter regularly. ICAR-DPR advises deworming every 2–3 months and vaccination against Marek's disease, Ranikhet disease, infectious bursal disease (Gumboro) and fowl pox; ask your vet for the schedule (ICAR-DPR leaflet). For more on keeping chickens healthy, see Country chicken in South India: breeds, buying and care.
Buying tips
- Buy from a known hatchery. There is no fixed look that proves a bird is Vanaraja, and crosses with country chickens are common. The breed name in an ad is the seller's word, and Kattutharai does not check it. Ask where the chicks were hatched; government hatcheries, TANUVAS centres and ICAR-DPR itself supply chicks (TANUVAS, ICAR-DPR leaflet).
- Brooded birds if you cannot brood. Chicks are often brooded to about 6 weeks before they go to backyards (TANUVAS review). Ask the hatch date and which vaccines the birds have had.
- Healthy birds only. Do not buy birds that are weak, sit still with drooping wings, or have a swollen head, a runny nose, or a comb and wattles that have changed colour (bird flu action plan).
Frequently asked questions
Is Vanaraja a breed?
No. It is an improved variety, produced by crossing two parent lines that ICAR-DPR keeps, PD-1 and PD-2 (ICAR-DPR). It is not one of the registered chicken breeds on NBAGR's list (ICAR-NBAGR).
How many eggs does a Vanaraja hen lay?
About 100–110 brown eggs a year under free-range conditions (ICAR-DPR).
How heavy does a Vanaraja grow?
Adult cocks weigh about 2.2–2.5 kg and hens about 1.8–2.0 kg; in backyards, cocks reach 1.5–1.8 kg by 12 weeks (ICAR-DPR).
Can I keep Vanaraja like country chickens?
Yes, it was made for free-range backyards. Brood the chicks for about 6 weeks first, and shut the birds in a night shelter (ICAR-DPR leaflet, TANUVAS review).
Next
Compare it with ICAR-DPR's other varieties, Gramapriya for eggs and Srinidhi for meat and eggs, and with Giriraja from Karnataka. Read Country chicken in South India: breeds, buying and care for buying and care, and browse country chickens for sale.