Roosters bring name and fame to Ramesh

By Govinda Sharma,Banke, June 5: Ramesh Balmiki of Ward No. 7, Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City Banke, has been rearing fighting roosters for the past 15 years.

Initially, Balmiki started raising fighting roosters in Rajapur out of personal interest. However, in recent years, he has continued the practice to earn name and fame. 

Currently, he keeps three large roosters and three chicks at his home. He participates in rooster fighting competitions held in various parts of Nepal and India. Roosters raised by Balmiki have competed in fights in places such as Lucknow and Gonda in India, as well as Dang in Nepal.

In some places, even though the roosters he raised have won fights and some were offered more than Rs. 50,000, he said he has not sold them. 

“When a rooster wins a fight, its value increases, and the owner also gains respect and honor,” Balmiki said. He brings rooster chicks from cities like New Delhi, Lucknow, and Gonda in India to raise at home.

According to Balmiki, fighting roosters typically cost between Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 10,000. Although a mature rooster may cost around Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 30,000, his experience shows that if it wins a fight, its value can rise to between Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 150,000.

He emphasised the importance of proper care and nutrition for fighting roosters. Even when offered more than Rs. 50,000 for a rooster, he said he has refused to sell.