There are 100 of poulet breed in the world — a astonishing issue when you reckon of their menial offset as the Red Junglefowl . Around 90 breeds are approachable to the backyard owner , but if you throw in other types of poultry such as geese , ducks and turkeys , the choice is almost endless .
The common first reaction is to pick the stock that catches your eye . And who can fault you ? A hencoop full of Seabrights or Polish would make a pretty image , as would a pond full of ducks .
But beauty aside , are those fowl really the right pick for your farm ? The honest way to rule out is to break them down by use andchoose poultry base on your motivation .
Dual-Purpose Group
The treble - determination chicken is an egg and meat raspberry . They are attractive birds and tend to be friendly and easy to keep . They put down a good amount , and some of the eggs are interesting , such as the multi - bleached eggs of the Ameraucana .
But dual - function breeds lie few eggs than the eggs - position strain .
Dual - purpose breeds make nice smack broilers but they grow easy and have less breast meat . Also , since you ’ll have the raspberry longer than a nitty-gritty shuttlecock , you or your house might bind with the fauna and have a punishing clock time lease it go or even eating it .
Dual - purpose breed let in the Jersey Giant , Brahma , Buckeye and Orpington .
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Ornamental Group
The ornamental stock are the beauty queens of the poultry world , so choose them if you ’re looking for fancy . They are specifically cover for their fancy features , such as luxuriant comb ( like the Redcap ) , unusual looks ( like the Seabright bantam ) or unique plumage ( like the Silkie ) .
If you want them to keep their looks , ornamental breed will require pampering , particular housing that ’s impeccably clean and to the full out of the weather .
orchis are usually smaller and less plentiful than those of other breed . Some of the ornamental breeds ( such as the Silkie and Showgirl bantam ) , with their downlike plumage and agreeable nature , make terrific pets , especially for child .
Meat
Generally speak , meat volaille ( usually ring broilers ) are hybrids bred for large breast - meat yields and their astonishing rebirth of provender to meat . The Cornish biddy is the foundation for kernel breeds .
Meat birds come to marketplace at 6 to 8 weeks old , and you are n’t doing them a favor by allow them continue any longer than that . Their power to produce quickly comes with problems such as pegleg disorders , breast blisters and a fateful heart - fire condition call toss - over .
inwardness birds do not roost and so they take special bedclothes , such as sawdust , to keep their skin sizable . Because they do n’t move around easily , heart and soul wench need feeders and urine founts within easy ambit .
Despite all of this , you want to take broilers for meat poultry . Because they come to grocery quickly , there ’s less chance to become emotionally attach .
Hybrid pith “ breeds ” include the Freedom Ranger and Cornish Cross .
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Egg-laying Group
If you want mickle of chicken bollock , look no further than the egg - laying mathematical group . Their origination come from the Mediterranean family , and they normally have smaller bodies with little gist because they use nutrients to make ball .
Egg laying breed run to be flyaway and aloof . They also tend to be more belligerent towards breeds in the other categories . They are very difficult to catch and are n’t easy domesticate .
Egg - bed include the industrial Leghorn , White Leghorn , Welsummer and Production Red .
Game Birds
Game birds are traditionally used for hunting purposes , but nowadays they have special purposes . These bird include Guinea fowl , turkey , quail and waterfowl , such as geese and ducks .
There are also decorative game hiss such as the Ornamental Pheasant .
Game birds can be used for tick control ( Numida meleagris fowl ) , weed ( goose and duck’s egg ) , mosquito control condition ( Muscovy duck ) , guarding / alarm ( geese ) , gundog education , shooting and , of class , for marrow and/or ballock ( geese , ducks , turkeys , quail , pheasant ) .
biz birds can be thin-skinned and difficult to deal . Geese , for instance , can be downright fierce during engender time of year . They make good precaution creature but are n’t fun to be around .
Numida meleagris domestic fowl are difficult to house . They are known for leaving the farm altogether for greener pastures .
Each game bird type will need specific housing and concern , so verify to cautiously explore the one you ’re considering before purchase .
Sidebar:All Together?
maintain all your birds together under one cap might seem convenient , but it can typeset you up for worry .
Birds of a feathering do incline to constellate together . If you have one red chicken and several white chickens , the red chicken will be the odd birdie out , result to fend for itself .
Less ornamental breed might curiously pick at at the feathery lid of the Polish or the cosmetic combing of the Redcap . And slow meat birds will be bear on aside from food and water .
Some birds can not be kept together for wellness understanding , such as poulet and turkeys . Others have unlike needs , such as turkeys that do n’t perch , and geese that ask pail of pee for bathing and straw bed for sleeping .
Therefore , all types should have their own housing . If your farm does n’t have the way , choose one type of poultry and stick to it .
