1.2 Breeds and Types of Chicken

1.2 Breeds and Types of Chicken

A breed is a genetically pure line having a common origin, similar conformation and other identifying characteristics, and the ability to reliably produce offspring with the same conformation and characteristics. The poultry breeds we know today are generally agreed to have originated from several species of wild fowl, principally the Indian jungle fowl (Gallus bankiva).

Through evolution and human selection, standard breeds emerged from different parts of the world. Originally, most selection was done for ornamental characteristics such as colour and body type. Today, poultry is one of the major food sources of animal protein among a myriad of alternative sources of animal food protein. While selection and breeding has improved laying qualities and the amount of meat produced, many of the standard breeds have been neglected in favour of crossbreeds, because no single breed has all the desired traits. Commercial crossbreeds have been developed for either egg or meat production.

The breed of chickens that a producer selects for his flock depends upon the purpose for which the chickens are intended. The types of chicken breeds to select from falls into one of three categories: • Egg laying birds (Layers) • Meat type birds (Broilers) • Dual purpose birds

Each type of bird is genetically developed to satisfy the best attributes for which they are intended. However, no single breed of bird will provide the best characteristics for all three purposes. Each category of birds will be discussed.

1.2.1 Egg Laying Birds (Layers)

These are birds reared purposively for egg production. They are commercially viable egg producing birds. They have ancestries that trace them back to the Mediterranean Class of chickens. They have been genetically selected for high egg productivity, but usually have small bodies that make them undesirable as meat producers. Efficient laying hens share four desirable characteristics. They include: • They lay large number of eggs per year. • They mostly have small bodies. • They begin laying at 4 to 5 months of age. • They are not inclined to nest or go broody.

According to the nature and color of egg, layer hens are of two types. They are:

A. White Egg Laying Hens

These types of hens are comparatively smaller in size. They eat less food and the color of the egg shell is white. Breeds include; Isa White, Lehman White, Nikchik, Bab Cock BV-300, Harvard White, Hi Sex White, Sever White, Hi line White, Bovanch White, Novogen White, etc. are some popular white egg laying chickens.

White leghorn

B. Brown Egg Laying Hens

Brown egg laying hens are larger in size. They eat more food compared to white egg layers. They lay bigger eggs than other laying breeds. The egg shell is brown in colour. There are many types of brown layer birds. Among them include; Isa Brown, Hi Sex Brown, Sever 579, Lehman Brown, Hi Line Brown, Bab Cock BV-380, Gold Line, Bablona Tetro, Bablona Harko, Havard Brown, Bovanch Brown, Novogen Brown, etc. are very suitable for commercial egg production.

Note, all hens, unless they are old or ill, lay eggs. An average healthy layer lays eggs almost every day or at least 4 times in a week. This means that technically a layer is capable of producing another chicken twice in three days. After a few years, layers become spent (i.e. they slowdown in production).

1.2.2 Meat Type Birds (Broilers)

Broilers are fowls reared only for meat production. The meat-type breeds of chickens are not really breeds at all. Instead, they are hybrid varieties or combinations of many different breeds. The combinations of breeds are selected to produce a variety (strain) with meat characteristics that the producer desires most. Broilers grow so fast. Within 42 - 45 days, most broilers are grown and ready to be sold. They are sold between 1.5 and 3kg live weight depending on consumers’ preferences and market demands. Most a times, the strains are named after the breeding companies that genetically develop them, like Arbor Acres, Ross, Peterson and Hubbard, to name a few. Other examples include; Cobb 500, Cornish cross, Colour broiler, Hy-bro, Vencobb, Babcobb, Caribro, etc. Efficient meat strains share four characteristics such as: • They grow and feather rapidly. • They reach target weight in minimum time. • They are broad breasted. • They have white feathers for clean picking.

Isa brown

Cobb 500 Colour broiler

1.2.3 Dual Purpose Birds

These types of poultry are used for the purposes of both egg and meat production. Dual-purpose chickens don’t lay and grow fast as compared to the laying hens or big as meat birds, but they lay better than meat birds and grow faster and larger than laying hens. Examples include; Rhode Island Red, New Hampshire, Plymouth Rock, Light Sussex, Dark Cornish, etc. are popular breeds for both meat and egg production.

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Plymouth rock Rhode Island Red

Light Sussex Dark Cornish