Explore the different breeds of poultry used in production, including characteristics, advantages, and suitability for various production purposes.
Poultry Breeds – Study Notes
1. Overview
- Poultry refers to domesticated birds kept for meat, eggs, or feathers.
- Over 2,000 recognized breeds exist worldwide, each with distinct characteristics.
- Breeds are grouped by primary purpose: egg‑laying (layers), meat production (broilers), dual‑purpose, ornamental, and specialty (e.g., game birds).
2. Classification by Purpose
| Category |
Primary Goal |
Typical Traits |
Common Breeds |
| Layers |
High egg output (250‑300 + eggs/yr) |
Light body, efficient feed conversion, strong reproductive system |
Leghorn, White Egg Leghorn, Rhode Island White, ISA Brown |
| Broilers |
Rapid growth, heavy carcass |
Fast weight gain, broad breast, high feed intake |
Cornish Cross, Ross 308, Cobb 500 |
| Dual‑Purpose |
Balanced egg and meat production |
Moderate size, decent egg size, good for small farms |
Rhode Island Red, Plymouth Rock, Sussex, New Hampshire |
| Ornamental/Show |
Appearance, feather pattern, exhibition |
Unique plumage, calm temperament, often poor production |
Silkie, Polish, Polish Bantam, Frizzle |
| Specialty/Game |
Specific traits (e.g., fighting, foraging) |
Aggressive, hardy, often flighty |
Old English Game, Malay, Asil |
3. Major Egg‑Layer Breeds
| Breed |
Egg Color |
Average Annual Production |
Notable Features |
| Leghorn |
White |
280‑320 |
Very efficient, active, heat tolerant |
| ISA Brown |
Brown |
300‑320 |
Hybrid vigor, good for commercial farms |
| Rhode Island White |
White |
250‑280 |
Friendly, good winter layers |
| Ancona |
White with speckles |
250‑280 |
Excellent for free‑range systems |
| Araucana |
Blue/green |
180‑200 |
Lays blue eggs, also a good forager |
4. Major Broiler Breeds (Commercial)
| Breed |
Target Live Weight (45 d) |
Growth Rate |
Typical Use |
| Cornish Cross |
2.5 kg |
0.07 kg/day |
Standard meat bird |
| Ross 308 |
2.4 kg |
0.07 kg/day |
High feed efficiency |
| Cobb 500 |
2.4 kg |
0.07 kg/day |
Good meat quality |
| Freedom Ranger (heritage) |
2.0 kg |
0.05 kg/day |
Outdoor/organic markets |
5. Dual‑Purpose Breeds
| Breed |
Egg Color |
Average Egg Weight |
Mature Weight (male/female) |
Remarks |
| Rhode Island Red |
Brown |
55 g |
3.4 kg / 2.5 kg |
Hardy, good for small farms |
| Plymouth Rock |
Brown |
55 g |
3.6 kg / 2.7 kg |
Calm, easy to handle |
| Sussex |
Brown/white |
55 g |
3.5 kg / 2.6 kg |
Excellent |