Identifying Breeds of Poultry

Poultry Terms

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Poultry

• No breed registries for poultry unlike other farm animals.

• Most commercial producers develop their own “breeds” through crossbreeding different strains/breeds.

Breeds, Varieties, Types & Classes

• Breed- group of related fowl that breed true for a specific trait

• Type- purpose for which it is breed

(meat or egg type)• Classes- geographic origin

(Mediterranean, American, English and Asiatic)

Egg Producers

Layers- chickens that produce eggs• White egg producers- small in size

– White Leghorns- white plumage

• Brown egg producers- larger birds that

are not as economical as Leghorns– Rhode Island Reds- dark red plumage– New Hampshires- red plumage– Others: Dominique, Brahmas, etc.

White Leghorns

Rhode Island Red

Dominique

Breeds: http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/poultry/

Egg Production Operations• Egg Production- producing eggs for human

consumption

• Laying hens are typically confined to cages or a floor-pen system.

• Eggs are cleaned, graded and packed at the farm.

• Laying hens produce eggs for approximately 72 weeks and then they are then sold for meat once their production cycle is complete.

• Over ½ of laying hens are raised through vertical integration contracts.

Layer Cages

Meat Producers

• Chickens used for meat production are called Broilers

• Birds used for meat production are usually commercial crosses

• Examples: Plymouth Rock• Common Cross for Broilers-

Plymouth Rock (female) x Cornish (male)

Plymouth Rock

Barred

White

Meat Production Operations

• Broiler Production- poultry produced for meat consumption.

• Poultry are fed high quality feed to maximize growth.

• Hormones cannot be added according to USDA standards.

http://www.uspoultry.org/faq/faq.cfm

Meat Production

• A producer will raise several flocks of birds each year.

• House size: 40’ X 500’• Broilers are processed into cuts of

meat and also value added products such as sandwich meat, pre-cooked products, etc

• Approximately 99% of broilers are raised through vertical integration contracts.

Confinement Broiler House

Confinement Broiler House

Replacement Pullet Production

Replacement Pullet Production- raising chickens to replace either egg production or broiler production operations.

Poultry Parts

vent

Turkeys

Broad Breasted White• White plumage• Shanks, feet, and beak is white to pink• White pinfeathers (feather not fully developed)

– Increases the value of the carcass• Can survive better in hotter climates• Good body confirmation but smaller

than other breeds

Broad Breasted White

Turkeys

Broad Breasted Bronze• Black plumage(females=white tips on

breast feathers)

• Dark colored pinfeathers• Largest of the turkey varieties• Poor fertility and reproductive

problems– Males are not good breeders

Broad Breasted Bronze

Turkeys

Beltsville Small Whites• Developed by the USDA• Similar to the Broad

Breasted Whites• Averages about 10 lbs.

less in mature body weight than the others

Beltsville Small Whites