Unit II

• Prepared by: Anerlene M. Villasan

 THE CHICKEN:
CLASSES, BREEDS & STRAINS
The chicken is the most exploited species of poultry
which is utilized for food production in the whole world.
Scientific researchers have been done on this species in
the past centuries and it still the focus of the present and
future experimentations. In the Philippines, chicken rank
first, while ducks rank second, in economic importance as
source of meat and eggs.
 The Origin of the Chicken
The exact ancestry of the present-day chicken is not
known. It is believed that the present breeds and strain
descended from a common origin: the red jungle fowl. (Sc.
Name: Gallus gallus) a native of Southeast Asia. Some
investigators contend that there are three other species of
jungle fowls that contributed to the kinds of chicken of
today. These are Gallus sonnerati (gray jungle fowl), Gallus
lafayetti (Ceylonese jungle fowl), Gallus varius (Javan
jungle fowl).
 Development of Modern Breeds and Strain

The hen of the wild jungle fowl is hardly 0.9 kg in weight

and lays only a few eggs as compared to the modern hen
which lays as much 320 eggs and weight as much as 1.5 to
2.0 kg at 6 weeks of age.
What brought the change?
1. Genetic mutation – some changes in the genetic make-
up of certain individuals due to factors that are within as
well as factors that surround the subject. The change have
been transmitted to generation to generation with the
possibility of being modified from time to time as more
factors and more individuals interact with each other.
2.Selection

a)Natural Selection (survival of the fittest)

• 1.climatic differences
• 2.differences in nutrition

b)Artificial Selection – the interference of man in achieving certain

goals and personal ideas – for example.
• 1.for meat
• 2.for eggs
• 3.for fighting cocks
• 4.for fancy feathers
 Classification of Breeds and Strain of Chicken

1.Breed – a group of chicken (fowls) possessing certain

conformation or shape of body that distinguishes them from
other chickens.
2.Strain – a group of chickens within a variety of a breed
which has under constant specific section of certain traits
by a specified breeder for periods of about 5 to 8 years.
3.Strain Crosses
4.Line crosses or Family lines
 Classification Based On Utility Or Purpose

1.Egg Class – the breed belonging to this class is

characterized by their comparatively small size. They lay
large white shelled eggs, very active and nervous in
temperament. They are non sitters. The earlier selection of
the geneticist for this class showed record of early maturity
that may not necessarily be true with the modern breeds
under this class. Examples: Leghorn, Minorcas, Anconas,
Mikawa.
2.Meat Class –this class belong the breeds that
are large, slow in movement, quiet and gentle in
disposition. Geneticist of the past described them
as relatively slow maturing which may not hold true
anymore with the present meat breeds. They are
generally poorer egg layers and generally lay
browned shelled eggs. Examples are: Brahmas,
Cochin, Langshans, Cornish, White rocks.
3.General purpose class – chickens that are
raised for both meat and egg purposes. Breeds of
chickens in this class are medium sized, good
layers and the young are fast growers. They are
not as nervous as the egg class but much more
active than the meat class. Examples: New
Hampshire, Rhode Island Red, Plymouth Rock,
Lancaster, Nagoya, Cantonese.
4.Fancy Class - breeds under this class maybe
characterized as possessing decided beauty of
plumage or form of having a rare unusual
appearance. Most of them are raise chiefly for
ornamentals or pets by hobbyists, regardless of
their value as a source of food. Example: Frizzle,
Bantams, Long tailed.
5.Fighting Class – since this sports is now
legalized in the Philippines, it should
revolutionalized our original vision that fighting
cock breeds has no place for our study. There are
groups of these kinds of chickens now developed
by national and international aficionados in this
game. The popular once are the Ruble, Hulsey,
Claret, Oasis.
Standard Classification
Under this classification, breeds and varieties are grouped
according to their geographical origin.
1.American Class- breeds and varieties that were developed and American
continent. The most popular are: Plymouth Rock (White, Barred, Speckled,
Brown). Wyandottes, Rhodes Island Reds, New Hampshire, Land Caster.
2.Asiatic Class – These breeds were developed in Asia: Bhramas, Cochin,
Langshang, Cantonese, and Nagoya.
3.Mediterranean Class - all breeds that developed in the Mediterranean regions.
It is related to its utility grouping since the Mediterranean origin is of the egg type
breeds. They produced large white shelled eggs. Examples: Leghorn, Minorcas,
Anconas.
4.English Class – specially the breeds that were developed in England and in its
colonial territories liked Dorkings, Australorps, Cornish, Orpington.
5.Other Classes by origin of development are: Polish, Hamburg, French and
oriental classes.
There are 189 strains and about 40 breeds of
chickens recognized by the American poultry
association as of 1953 based on registry.