The present study was undertaken to detect the incidence of extended-spectrum-cephalosporinase gene possessing-Escherichia coli, its co-resistance pattern against other antimicrobials, and the clonal relationship of the isolates in healthy kuroiler birds. A total of 80 cloacal swabs from kuroilers were collected randomly from West Bengal, India. The use of costly antimicrobials (cephalosporins) was not practiced by farmers. Escherichia coli was isolated and identified by standard biochemical tests and 16SrRNA-PCR. All the E. coll isolates, including controls, were subjected to PCR for detection of bla.sub.CTX-M, bla.sub.TEM, bla.sub.SHV, and bla.sub.CMY-2, genes. By comparing the RAPD-banding pattern, the phylogenetic relationship among the isolates was established. All the isolates were tested for phenotypical resistance against other antibiotics. In total, 60 isolates were identified as E. coli from the kuroilers studied (n = 80). Among them, 12 (20%) isolates possessed one of the studied extended-spectrum cephalosporinase genes. Among the studied genes, bla.sub.TEM, and bla.sub.SHV, were detected in 6 (10%) and 12 (20%) E. coli isolates, respectively. None of the E. coli isolates possessed bla.sub.CTX, and bla.sub.CMY-2, In phylogenetic analysis, the strains isolated from same localities with similar genetic profile were grouped into the same cluster. Resistance of extended-spectrum cephalosporinase gene possessing E. coli isolates was observed most frequently against ampicillin/cloxacillin, co-trimoxazole, amoxyclav, piperacillin, ceftriaxone, and tetracycline. Kuroiler birds with no cephalosporin usage profile may act as a reservoir of extended-spectrum cephalosporinase gene possessing E. coli. This is the first systematic study in kuroilers, to raise the awareness of consumers regarding the possibility of transmission of antimicrobial resistant E. coli from them. Key words: E. coli, extended-spectrum cephalosporinase, India, kuroiler