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Kaunayen Chicken Breed: Game-Fighting Poultry from Manipur | Poultry Breed

ByRakesh Kumar 03/21/202503/11/2025Updated On 03/11/202503/21/2025

"Kaunayen chicken with black plumage and pea comb in Manipur."
"Kaunayen hen with solid black feathers and white skin in a backyard farm."
"Kaunayen rooster with muscular build and fighting posture in Imphal Valley."

Kaunayen Chicken Information

Conservation Status	Not at Risk
Scientific Classification	Domain: Eukaryota Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae Genus: Gallus Species: Gallus gallus Binomial Name: Gallus gallus Linnaeus, 1758
Breed Type	Game-Fighting Breed
Alternate Names	Kwakman, Coman, Koman
Origin	Manipur, India
Breeding Tract	Manipur: Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Imphal West, Chandel, Churachandpur, Senapati, Imphal East
Comment on Breeding Tract	Kaunayen chickens are distributed throughout the Imphal Valley, including Thoubal, Imphal West, Imphal East, and Bishnupur districts. Some birds are also found in the hill regions. The soil in the valley is alluvial, while the hills have red ferruginous soil.
Main Use	Game-Fighting
Comment on Main Use	These birds are prized for their martial qualities and contribute significantly to the income of poultry keepers. Fighter cocks are also traded with breeders from neighboring countries.
Origin of Name	The word “Kaunayen” is derived from two Manipuri words: “Kauna” (kick/fighting) and “yen” (hen/poultry). The breed is named for its fighting abilities.
Herd Book or Register Established	No
Breed Societies (if Any)	No
Adaptability to Environment	Adapted to local conditions
Morphology	Weight (Avg Kg): Male – 3.01, Female – 2.32 Plumage Type: Normal Plumage Pattern: Patchy in males, solid in females Plumage Colour: Black Comb Type: Pea Skin Colour: White Shank Colour: Yellow Egg Shell Colour: Brown
Management	Management System: Backyard Mobility: Stationary Feeding of Adults: Free-ranging Comments on Management Conditions: Meitei, Meitei Pangal, and tribal communities in Manipur are responsible for the development of Kaunayen chickens. Birds are scavenged and supplemented with kitchen waste and local feeds. Fighting birds are fed dry fish, beef, eggs, bananas, almonds, raisins, and butter. Cocks are trained for fighting, and special ring-type enclosures are made for fights. Spurs are taped when not fighting to prevent injury.
Performance	Age at First Egg (Months): 5-7 Annual Egg Production: 25-40 eggs Egg Weight (g): 42.4 (Range: 41-43) Hatch (%): 65-100 Peculiarity: Broodiness is common. Hens choose secure places to sit on eggs. Mortality is very low. Cocks are used for fights until 2-2.5 years old, after which their spurs are cut, and they are used for breeding. Relatively short shank, long thigh, broad rib cage, long body, and erect posture are preferred traits for fighting cocks.
Population	2012: ~60,000 – 80,000 (Based on Livestock Census 2012 and ICAR-NBAGR survey)
The Rajasthan Express: Kaunayen Chicken Breed Details

"Kaunayen chicken with black plumage and pea comb in Manipur." "Kaunayen hen with solid black feathers and white skin in a backyard farm." "Kaunayen rooster with muscular build and fighting posture in Imphal Valley."

Explore the Kaunayen chicken breed, prized for its fighting abilities and dual-purpose utility. Learn about its origin, traits, and management practices.
THE RAJASTHAN EXPRESS

Rakesh Kumar

I am Rakesh Kumar, hailing from Rajasthan, and I proudly serve as a Private Veterinary Livestock Inspecter . With years of experience in the field, I am passionate about promoting the health and welfare of animals. As the administrator of The Rajasthan Express website, I am committed to delivering accurate and valuable insights into veterinary science and animal care.