The best poultry breed have a high liveability rate, which means low mortality rate, are generally less prone to disease, and are highly productive.
Procuring a poultry breed from well established and reputable flock suppliers is the cornerstone for successful poultry farming.
What is a poultry breed
A poultry breed is a particular type of bird that has unique characteristics that differentiate it from other breeds. Such characteristics may include origin, color, temperance, disease resistance, and feathering.
The phrase poultry breed refers to other bird types including chicken, turkey, geese, duck, guinea fowl, pigeons, ostrich, and so on. The phrase ‘chicken breeds’ may be used to refer hens only.
Factors determining a good poultry breed
Local climate
Different chicken breeds are suited to different climates. There are breeds suited for cold climates, for warm climates, and some that can do quite well in both.
It is important to know your climate in order that you can acquire a breed that is suited to, and will do well in that climate.
Chicken and poultry breeds can of course be reared in controlled climates, as some commercial breeds are.
Breed origin
A breed’s origin is another factor that can be used to determine the suitability of a breed for poultry farming.
In most regions, native or heritage chicken breeds are known for their disease resistance, and require less feed than non-native and hybrid breeds.
Poultry farming system
Different breeds will perform differently depending on the poultry farming system they are reared in. There are 4 commonly used poultry housing systems namely: free range or extensive, semi intensive, folding unit, and intensive.
| Extensive poultry systems | Intensive poultry systems |
|---|---|
| Free range | Deep litter |
| Semi intensive | Aviary |
| Folding units | Slatted floor |
| Battery cage |
Of course, your choice of poultry farming and housing system is determined by a number of factors such as accessibility to land and capital.
Flock type
Poultry flock type is yet another factor to consider when selecting a poultry breed. There are more or less three flock types: Layers, broilers, and mixed.
Each flock type has its own rearing requirements and in most cases, especially in commercial farming different flock types are not kept together.
Moreover, flock type also determine how long a poultry breed is kept in order to achieve full productivity. Broiler flocks for instance, in commercial farming usually mature and are sold off within a month or 40 days. Layers chicken on the other hand may take about 4.5 to 5 months to start producing eggs, and may maintain egg production for the next 18 months.
Business plan and resources
For commercial poultry farmers, their business plan and resources are also a determining factor for the best breed to rear. For instance, a farmer with large pastures may consider free range chicken farming, while a farmer with a small area may opt for housed or caged chicken. Breeds suited to free range farming will be different from those that do well in housed or caged farming.
Furthermore a farmer with sufficient resources may consider breeds that require more feed than others, if they are productive, and financially viable.
Key takeaways
- There are a number of factors by which a farmer can determine a poultry breed to rear.
- Commercial farmers may opt for resource intensive breeds if their productivity is financially viable, and respective farmers have sufficient resources.
- Broiler flocks may be suited to farmers who want to engage in poultry farming in the short term.
- Heritage poultry breeds may require less feed and may be more disease resistant than hybrid breeds.
- Farmers may opt for breeds that do well in conventional farming, if that is their preferred farming method.
- Farmers keen on organic farming should consider breeds best suited for such.
- Commercial farmers should find reputable flock suppliers or hatcheries whose breeds have a history of high liveability and productivity, and low mortality.