Lesson #12:

Breeds and types

of Chickens
 Types of poultry:
1. Chickens
2. Turkeys, Game Birds and Other
Poultry

Types of chicken
Layers
•These are known for their egg-laying capacity. A
healthy hen will lay eggs for several years. Hens begin
to lay at approximately 16–20 weeks of age and will lay
between 20–23 dozen eggs the first year. At 14 months,
laying hens usually begin to molt, the process by which
they drop their old feathers and grow new ones. No
eggs are laid during this period. After molting, hens will
lay larger but fewer eggs per year (about 16–18 dozen).
Meat (Boilers)
•Meat birds are very efficient at converting feed to
meat, producing approximately one pound of
bodyweight for every two pounds of feed they eat.
Meat-producing chickens are broad breasted and larger
than the laying breeds. They grow and feather rapidly
and will weigh five pounds or more at eight weeks.
Broilers and fryers are butchered at 3 1/2 to 5 pounds,
while a roaster is butchered at 6 to 8 pounds.
Dual-Purpose
•So, a dual-purpose is generally regarded as a
chickens that are reared for both meat and eggs.
 Breeds of Layers

Light Brahmas
• Skin Color- Yellow
• Egg Color- Brown
• Origin - China
• Characteristics:
• 1. Large, gentle
nature
• 2. Well feathered - can
withstand cold temps.
• 3. Fairly good mothers
Dominiques
• Skin Color-Yellow
• Egg Color- Brown
• Origin -
• Characteristics-
• 1. Hardy, calm
• 2. Good meat bird
• 3. Small single
combed
White Leghorns
• Skin Color - Yellow
• Egg Color - White
• Origin - Italy
• Characteristics-
• 1. Great foragers
• 2. Capable of flight
• 3. Noted for egg
production
 Buff Orpington
• Skin Color - White
• Egg Color -Brown
• Origin - England
• Characteristics-
• 1. Heavily feathered
bird- handle cold
• 2. Good mothers
New Hampshires
• Skin Color - Yellow
• Egg Color - Brown
• Origin -
Massachusetts
• Characteristics-
• 1. Rapid growth
• 2. Early maturing
• 3. Fast Feathering
 Polish
• Skin Color - White
• Egg Color - White
• Origin - Europe
• Characteristics -
• 1. Crest and Muffs
• 2. Restricted vision
• 3. Easily frightened
Rhode Island Reds
• Skin Color - Yellow
• Egg Color - Brown
• Origin - New England
• Characteristics -
• 1. Dual Purpose
• 2. Egg Production
• 3. Meat Production
White Plymouth Rocks
• Skin Color - Yellow
• Egg Color - Brown
• Origin - America
• Characteristics
• 1. Docile
• 2. Deep full breast
• 3. Docile, Popular
birds
 Broilers

A broiler is any chicken that is bred and

raised specifically for meat production.
Most commercial broilers reach slaughter
weight between four and seven weeks of
age, although slower growing breeds
reach slaughter weight at approximately
14 weeks of age. Typical broilers have
white feathers and yellowish skin.
 Breeds of Broilers

The Cornish Cross Broiler

The Cornish Cross Broiler is a hybrid
breed crossing a Cornish with a Plymouth
Rock. The resulting bird is fast growing,
reaching table weight at around 8 weeks.
This quick maturing, large breed makes it
a cost effective investment with good
feed conversion.
 Characteristics of the Cornish Cross
broilers

With bright white feathers and a single

red comb, the Cornish Cross will certainly
stand out from other, more colorful birds.
Everything about it is wide–from its
broadly muscled body, huge breast, and
yellow legs set far apart.

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 Red Broilers

Red Rangers or Red Broilers are a hybrid

well suited for small flocks. They grow
slower than Cornish but faster than dual
purpose breeds and lack the health
problems of faster growing broilers.
Rangers enjoy foraging outdoors and can
be raised with standard breeds.

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 Characteristics of the Red broiler

As their name implies, these birds have

feathering of various shades of red, and
some have dark tails.

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 The Black Australorp

Australorps are used primarily as a dual

purpose birds, as well as family pets. This
is because they have such a sweet
temperament, are productive egg layers
and also have a significant amount of
meat on them.

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 Characteristics of The Black
Australorp

Black Australorps are large, heavy, soft-

feathered fowl with an upright stance and
close-fitting feathers. They have deep
bodies and well-rounded breasts, and
they are broad across the shoulders and
saddles. Both genders hold their compact
tails high.

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 Ross 308 Broiler

Ross 308 is a crossbreed recognized globally for its

consistent performance. It has high growth rates,
manageable feed efficiency and robust
performance. The optimal time for the Ross 308 to
be sold off or slaughtered is from six to nine weeks.
At this point, if the chickens are well fed, they can
weigh up to two kilograms. The Ross 308 is reputed
to have more powerful muscle mass than other
broilers with white, large breasts and large, strong
legs which are formed at a very early stage. They
also have bright skin. This breed of broilers is
especially loved, not only because of its high
performance but also because it can meet a broad
rang
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 Grinphield Marshall

It usually takes approximately 6-8 weeks for a

Grinphield Marshall Broiler chick to grow up to
what is referred to as a “table size.” The Marshall
breed of Broilers normally grows very tall and big
and is widely disease resistant. Due to their quick
growth, this breed is well recommended to small-
scale broiler chicken farmers who sell to the open
market. Within six to eight weeks, they have
reached table size (depending on the quality of
management) and can be sold off. The Marshall
breed is reputed to outperform all other chicken
breeds in an ideal growing environment.

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 Delaware Broilers

Developed in the 1940s, Delaware chickens

resulted from crossing Rhode Island Red hens
with Barred Plymouth Rock roosters. At one
time, Delawares were widely used in the
broiler industry, but the Livestock Conservancy
-- which monitors rare breeds -- now lists them
as threatened. The Delawares' white bodies
sport black barring on their necks and tails.
Males mature early, tipping the scales at 8
pounds; hens are smaller at 6 pounds. Unlike
some other broiler breeds, Delawares are also
useful for small-scale egg production.

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 Parts

• Chicken
• Rooster
Thank you