Selecting a Poultry Breed
Selecting a poultry breed doesn’t have to be a hassle. Knowing a few key factors and what you’re looking for means you can find the perfect poultry for your flock.
THE BASICS
A breed of chicken is a family of birds that have the same general size, shape, and carriage. All birds in this family will share the same characteristics such as skin color, plumage style, and the number of toes. Breeds of chickens are divided into classes. Large fowl classes generally refer to their place of origin like American, Asiatic, English, Mediterranean, and others. Bantam breeds are classified by characteristics such as game, comb style, or leg feathering. Keep these factors in mind when selecting a poultry breed.
CHICKENS
You could select a breed of chicken based on what you need. There are egg-laying breeds, meat-producing breeds, and dual-purpose breeds.
LAYERS
Layers are generally a smaller bird that will lay between 250 – 280 eggs per year. They will begin to produce at 5 months of age and will continue for three to six years. In reality, the first year of production is the best and there is a decline in production after the first season. You can choose between brown and white egg layers. The Leghorn is the best of the white egg layers however they can be flighty and high-strung. Other breeds laying white eggs include Minorcas, Anconas, and California Whites. The Production Red is the best of the brown egg layers. This hybrid bird is a cross between Rhode Island Reds and New Hampshire. Rhode Island Reds and New Hampshires are good brown egg layers. The Sex-links are very productive hybrid brown egg layers as well.
MEAT-PRODUCTION BREEDS
The Cornish Rock Cross is the meat production bird. This breed is a cross between Cornish and Plymouth Rock. The Cornish Rock Cross will consume two pounds of feed for each pound gained. Broilers/fryers are butchered at three and a half to five pounds and roasters are butchered at six to eight lbs. The quicker a bird makes the weight gain the more economical it is to raise. Brahmas, Cochins, and Cornish are also considered meat production birds. However, these breeds will take much longer to reach butcher weight.
DUAL-PURPOSE BREEDS
These birds are a compromise between the egg layers and the meat producers. They generally don’t put on weight as fast as the meat breeds nor do they lay as many eggs as the egg layers. They are the typical backyard flock type birds. You will have a nice supply of eggs and the excess roosters and older hens will provide a good chicken dinner. Dominiques, Plymouth Rocks, Sussex, Orpingtons, and Wyandottes are examples of dual-purpose birds. Dual-purpose birds are generally hardy and self-reliant. They lay brown eggs and will brood their chicks.
ORNAMENTAL OR EXHIBITION FOWL
There is a fourth type of chicken, the ornamental or exhibition fowl. These birds are bred for their appearance and how they conform to the standards of the American Poultry Association and the American Bantam Association and their economic value.
BREEDS FOR FEATHERS
Fishermen have asked us which breeds to raise for the hackle and saddle feathers used in tying fishing flies. The males of the following breeds provide the best feathers: Plymouth Rock, Blue Andalusian, Buff Minorca, and Silver Penciled Wyandotte (Bantams tend to produce more of the small and fine feathers prized for dry fly tying.)
BREEDS FOR DIFFERENT CLIMATES
Another consideration in selecting a breed maybe your local weather conditions. Heavily feathered breeds will do better in colder conditions than the lightly feathered breeds. Some heavily feathered breeds are Orpingtons, Brahmas, Cochins. Breeds that do well in cool weather are the Plymouth Rocks, Rhode Island Reds, and Wyandottes. The Leghorn, Minorca, Andalusian, Hamburgs, and other Mediterranean Breeds will do better in warmer weather. The crested varieties may have problems with freezing combs. Rose combed birds are also a better choice for colder weather as the single comb is vulnerable to freezing.
BANTAMS
Bantams are miniature chickens. Your reasons for selecting one breed of bantam would be similar to how you select your breed of chickens. However, you are more likely to be choosing bantams for other reasons than for food or egg production. Bantams are selected for ornamental reasons or because a person can raise more birds in a smaller space. Bantams still lay eggs – the eggs are just smaller. You can still butcher your bantams, they will produce a bird that is about 25% of the table weight of the same standard-sized breed.
OTHER POULTRY
TURKEYS
Turkeys are raised for the table. There are breeds that mature faster and are more desirable as a production bird. Broad Breasted White and Broad Breasted Bronze turkeys are noted for their fast growth. The hens of these varieties will have a live weight of approximately 15 lbs. at 18 weeks. The toms will weigh approximately 25 lbs. at 20 weeks. The other breeds of turkeys are generally hardier and do well as free-range birds. Do not raise turkeys with chickens or other poultry because turkeys can pass Blackhead and other diseases to chickens.
DUCKS
Ducks are very popular to raise. They can be a good table bird, good egg layers, and can also be very entertaining. They are also very hardy and disease resistant. The Pekin, Rouen, and Muscovy ducks are good meat-type ducks. The Pekin will produce an eight to nine-pound bird in nine to twelve weeks. Khaki Campbell and Indian Runner ducks are both excellent egg layers capable of laying 250 eggs a year. A pond is nice but not necessary. Ducks will be cleaner and happier with a pond. One thing to keep in mind; it is better to provide no pond or bathing facilities than allow them access to stagnant or filthy water.
GEESE
Geese are one of the most economical birds to raise. They are great foragers. Geese will provide large eggs, good meat, feathers for a pillow or comforter, and will also sound off when you have visitors. Geese are not usually raised to provide a number of eggs, but the best egg layer is the Chinese. Meat production geese are the Embden, African, and Toulouse. Pin feathers are less noticeable in the carcass of the Embden because of their white color.
With so many options of poultry out there, there’s sure to be an option to suit your needs. Check out our bird selection and poultry supplies to keep your birds happy and healthy!