There are too many classifications of poultry. Chickens came across Europe by the great migrations of the Indo-European peoples around four thousand years ago. Currently, there is evidence that the Egyptians were the first to devote themselves to poultry farming, later moving to the Greco-Latin world. Recent studies have recently revealed latent genes in the domestic rooster for the production of teeth in the jaws.
These studies are evidence that birds, in general, descend from theropod dinosaurs. Also for the same reason, it was discovered that some chickens before birth have a longer tail, which then shortens shortly after birth.
Top 5 Classifications of Poultry
- Commercial varieties producing eggs
- Commercial varieties producing meat
- Egg and meat producers (Double Purpose)
- Creole or local
- Improved
Egg Producers
They result from genetic selection and their exploitation is in industrial establishments. These birds require strict sanitary control and balanced foods so that they have an adequate yield and do not get sick. They are also not suitable for producing chicks, given that they are rare and that they are not good mothers.
To this group belongs the Leghorn and other hybrid races such as the Lohmann, Hy Line, De Kalb, and Shaver. They are small birds but nevertheless produce large eggs and have a high feed-posture conversion.
Meat Producers
They are commercial breeds specialized in the production and consumption of chickens. They require the same care and food requirements as egg-producing birds. This type of bird is very prone to diseases and is demanding of environmental conditions.
The appropriate temperature must be taken into account (according to age). The house’s humidity is between 40 and 60%, with good ventilation, and enough space for the birds to move. There should be regular removal of the beds, thorough cleaning and disinfection of the floors and night lighting. The best-known are Hubbard and Arbor Acres.
Dual Purpose Production
They produce both eggs and meat abundantly. The position averages 200 eggs a year and the chickens give good meat although the growth is not as fast as the specialized breeds. They are quiet birds, adapt well to different climates and have greater disease resistance than previous groups. The most used is the Rhode Island race. But New Hamshire, Sussex, Plymouth Rock, Orpington, and Wyandotte also give good results.
Creole or Field Type
These birds come from a long process of natural selection and have developed a great resistance to unfavourable environmental conditions. They can develop well within a very wide range of temperature and humidity. They eat waste from the garden and the home and insects that they find directly on the ground. Also, they are suitable for domestic breeding, but their production of meat and eggs is modest. You may also like to read Shamo Chicken.
Improved Birds
They result from crossing Creole breeds with purebred birds, obtaining animals that combine the best of the different breeds. According to the technique of the Center for Education and Technology of Chile the first year a purebred rooster (usually of double purpose) is crossed with Creole females.
One rooster is required for every 10 hens. In the second year the rooster is changed to another of the same pure breed to mate with the hens obtained the previous year (already improved). During the next three years, the birds will continue to reproduce without changing roosters. You may also like to read Egg Bound Chicken.
Is it profitable to raise chickens?
One of the questions someone raises about raising chickens sooner or later is their profitability. In a study that was conducted, most share that the gain is in health, especially since the rise in cereal prices. As well as in the flavour or entertainment that its breeding provides, because in terms of pure and hard numbers. Starting from the fact that the average consumption of a hen is 120 grams of feed per day. You may also like to read Andalusian Chicken.
This figure can be reduced or increased depending on whether they have access to other green foods, as well as different herbs or cabbages. It is recognized that the calculation is too simple and that the chickens besides feed consume water, electricity, medicines and time. And we have to replenish the layering staff every few years since chickens are taken to produce meat.
It is also true that they are hens raised on the ground and have access to grass, which produces quality eggs. And that by producing a part of what they eat, some corn, the feed costs are greatly reduced. And, finally, and very importantly, the manure they produce is a fundamental source of fertility. So, only people who raise chickens and know how to take advantage of all their benefits will be totally profitable.
FAQ
What are the two categories of chicken?
The two categories of chicken are generally divided into two main types: meat chickens and egg-laying chickens.
Meat Chickens – Meat chickens, called “broilers,” are usually bred specifically for their meat production capabilities. They should have large breasts with thick, white skin and have an ample amount of fat marbling throughout the muscle tissue. Breeds known as Cornish Crosses are commonly used in the commercial meat industry because they produce more efficient weight gain than most other breeds of chicken do.
Egg-Laying Chickens – Egg-laying chickens comprise the second type of poultry category and tend to be smaller birds than those used for meat production. The breeds that are designed primarily for egg laying will typically lay larger eggs with thicker shells compared to those which just produce eggs occasionally or aren’t able to reproduce at all (i.e., infertile). Some common egg-producing breeds include Rhode Island Red, Australorp, Welsummer, Leghorn, Marans and Orpington among many others out there!
What are the five classifications of chicken?
There are several ways to classify chickens, depending on the purpose of the classification. If you’re talking about an agricultural classification, chickens can be divided into three main categories: egg-laying breeds, meat breeds, and dual-purpose breeds.
What is the scientific classification of a chicken?
The scientific classification of a chicken is as follows: Kingdom – Animalia, Phylum – Chordata, Subphylum- Vertebrata/Craniata, Class – Aves, Order – Galliformes, Family – Phasianidae, Genus – Gallus, Species- Gallus Domesticus.
Conclusion
If you are a business owner in the food industry, or if you’re just an interested consumer wondering how poultry got its start – this article has something for everyone. We’ve discussed everything from where they came from to what their genetic makeup is like and more. Hopefully, by now, you have learned enough information that will allow for some insightful conversations with your friends and family members!
As a reference: Wikipedia
