Description of common broiler breeds

Broiler poultry species were bred in order to increase the volume of meat in the shortest possible time. This species includes many breeds that differ in external characteristics, care features, weight gain parameters, feeding organization, and product quality. In order to choose the right breed for breeding, it is necessary to study the main varieties, weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each type.

After analyzing this information, you can come to the conclusion which varieties are right for you, which ones will be the most cost-effective.

Features of broiler chickens

Breeds of broilers have been subjected to selection for many years, and now this process does not stand still. Crossing different lines allows you to get stronger, hardier, fast-growing breeds.

The start of selection took place at the beginning of the last century, and by the middle of it it had gained incredible popularity both in our country and abroad. Broiler hybrids in the modern economy are bred in poultry farms and in the backyard, and very successfully. The goal of the selection specialists has remained unchanged – they strive to breed a breed of chickens that, at minimal cost, will most quickly gain the required mass.

If you compare a broiler with a conventional type of chicken, then the differences will be obvious – genetically they gain weight faster, and in greater numbers. Therefore, at the age of two weeks, an ordinary chicken weighs half a kilo, and a broiler chicken weighs more than a kilogram.

Characteristic features of the species:

• body of compact type, wings and limbs are disproportionately small;
• feathers are most often snow-white, but other shades are also found, for example, tricolor ash, black and white;
• by temperament, broilers are very phlegmatic, inactive, move little;
• require high-calorie food;
• a couple of months after birth, they can reach the required weight and taste;
• productivity indicators directly depend on the crossed breeds;
• egg production in broilers is quite low;
• the instinct of incubation is very well developed;
• broilers are not crossed with each other, as they give weakened offspring;
• they are not capricious in content, they are content with any conditions;
• for the most part, they tolerate cold well;
• the average number of eggs per year is no more than 120 pieces, in rare breeds this figure rises to 180.

Foreign selection

The origin of the tribe was laid in England, where poultry farmers noted the advantages of offspring from crossing different meat breeds – the chickens grew up very quickly and gained excellent weight. We offer a description of the most popular representatives of foreign production today.

ISA F15

First of all, this is the French broiler Isa Hubbard, which is very common in many countries. It is very often chosen for the production of meat products. Representatives of this breed have a small head and a compact build, white feathers, yellow skin, very strong limbs. The chest of females is wider than that of males. This is a rare meat-and-egg type of broilers that carry rather large and high quality eggs.

The content does not cause any difficulties if you create tolerable living conditions and provide a balanced diet. Weight is gained very quickly, the survival rate of chickens is high. All this provides a constant demand for birds from farmers. The weight of broilers of this type is from 2,6 to 3,5 kg, depending on the sex.

Monthly slaughter is allowed, which reduces maintenance costs.

Arbor Acres

This is one of the new hybrids, which experts refer to as Isa Hubbard. But this subspecies has its own characteristics:

• representatives are quite large, plumage is white, skin is yellowish;
• the bones are very strong, the limbs are shortened, but the muscles on them are well developed;
• the neck is small, the head is medium in size, the crest is in the form of a leaf;
• this is one of the highest quality breeds with the highest productivity indicators;
• in a month they already weigh about 2 kg, in one and a half – 3;
• if you do not rush to slaughter, you can grow a chicken weighing about 6 kg;
• meat is dietary, hypoallergenic, with a delicate taste;
• this breed is very thermophilic, so it is necessary to breed them in a heated room.

Master Gris

This French breed is used for both meat and egg purposes. The main characteristic feature of the breed is the high survival rate of chickens, close to one hundred percent. Other features:

• weight of males – up to 7 kg, females – up to 4 kg;
• meat of a juicy type, without unpleasant odors, contains very little fat;
• at 28 weeks they begin laying eggs, their number reaches 300 per year;
• the color is predominantly white, but there is also a mixture of different shades, tricolor;
• perfectly contained both in poultry houses and aviaries, cages.

Foxy Chick

These broilers are good for those who are just starting to breed poultry. They do not require special feeds, quickly gain weight, are unpretentious in care, and the percentage of survival is quite high. The features are as follows:

• color brownish, red;
• weight – from 4 to 7 kg, depending on gender;
• the limbs are strong, muscular, the chest is wide;
• they are bred not only for meat, but also for egg purposes, as they bring 240 large eggs weighing up to 70 g per year, and this is rare even for representatives of egg subspecies.

Sasso XL 551

Sasso broilers are also of French origin, the taste of the meat is very original, the product resembles the meat of wild birds. Popular due to their unpretentiousness in content. Features of hybrids:

• red plumage, yellowish skin;
• may be kept free-range;
• they gain mass quickly, are content with pasture;
• at 3 months, the broiler weighs more than 4 kg;
• in the same period begins to rush;
• eggs are large, their weight exceeds 80 g;
• ideal for breeding in a small backyard;
• develop a little slower than other representatives;
• the survival rate of chickens is more than 95%.

domestic species

Russian broilers are not inferior in quality to foreign representatives. They are much cheaper than imported ones, and in terms of performance they are no worse. Domestic selection is constantly being improved, and more and more new broiler hybrids are being developed, which are becoming very popular.

COBB-500

Very common broilers with bright yellow skin. Having barely reached one and a half months, they already weigh more than 2,5 kg. Distinguishing Features:

• very large limbs;
• white feathers;
• the chest is very wide;
• the shape and weight of females and males are identical, the maximum difference in weight is half a kilo;
• the survival rate is high, the birds are unpretentious in food;
• production cost is very high.

ROSS-308

This broiler is considered unique and very popular in our country. Every day, a chicken is able to gain 50 g of mass, if you provide him with competent care and quality maintenance. It will take less than two months for the bird to gain 2,5 kg. Features:

• dietary meat;
• compact body shape;
• snow-white feathers;
• fairly wide chest;
• pale skin;
• high productivity, including egg production – about 190 eggs per year;
• peaceful nature of the breed;
• unpretentious in care and feeding;
• in case of breeding, special feed mixtures are recommended to increase the survival rate to the maximum.

Ross-708

Breeders consider this species to be unique; all the advantages of the broiler variety of chickens are concentrated in it, while maturation occurs very quickly. A month later, a broiler of this species weighs about 3 kg. Distinctive characteristics:

• pale skin, as the chicken goes on sale at a young age;
• thickened limbs;
• wide chest of a weighty type;
• white feathers;
• this subspecies is more expensive than the previous two;
• special feed mixtures are required;
• the survival rate of chickens is high, but quality care is needed in the first week of life.

Competitor-3

Another very high-quality domestic hybrid, however, less widespread. Its features:

• very hardy chickens, the survival rate is high;
• young livestock are approximately the same in weight;
• weight gain per day – about 50 g;
• weight in one and a half months – 3 kg;
• as a rule, after a month of age, chickens can already be sold as meat;
• egg laying begins upon reaching 5 months;
• annual egg production rates – 160 pieces;
• the incubation instinct is well developed.

Broiler-M

It is obtained by combining the red Yerevan breed with the silver Adler. This is one of the newest breeds, versatile in its characteristics, suitable for both egg and meat purposes. The size of the chickens is quite small, so they do not require too spacious rooms. They are perfect for small farms, they feel great on the run, they are not picky about food. Breed characteristics:

• shortened limbs;
• compact body;
• weight – from 2,5 to 3 kg, depending on gender;
• in the first year they rush perfectly, then this figure decreases;
• meat has excellent taste, juicy;
• prone to gaining excess weight, so in adulthood it is necessary to keep this indicator under control.

Recommendations for selection

Before choosing breeds of broilers for breeding at home, you need to analyze your goals and capabilities. You can raise poultry for meat or for eggs. According to this indicator, all groups of domestic chickens are divided into:

• egg, not prepared for slaughter;
• meat and egg, suitable for both, it all depends on preferences;
• meat.

The last direction just applies to broilers. The best breeds for the home are selected taking into account the whimsicalness of birds in food and maintenance, a lot also depends on financial capabilities.

It is best to take chickens of broiler groups at a poultry farm or from breeders from April to May. Many people buy hand-grown in the villages, but here you cannot be 100% sure of the breed, as well as the health of the chick. Many poultry owners consider this advice controversial, as it is assumed that poultry farms take the best specimens for themselves, putting up inferior options for sale. Therefore, the acquisition of a bird must be carefully considered, and in any case, check the chicks yourself.

The best way out is to buy poultry at hatchery-type stations, but basically they cooperate only with wholesalers, in addition, you need to have time to get into the queue. But on the other hand, the guarantee of healthy and high-quality representatives of broilers is practically guaranteed.

Regardless of who you decide to contact, be sure to analyze the reviews about the seller. You can often see complaints about high mortality in them; it is better to refuse such manufacturers.

Evaluate the appearance of the bird – both adult and acquired. Outwardly, mature birds are unsightly, but strong, well developed, powerful. Younger representatives have a tummy, loose. Day old chickens are not suitable for purchase, pay attention to ten-day-olds, despite the fact that the price of the first is significantly lower. However, the mortality among them is high for a variety of reasons, so the risk is not justified.

There is an alternative to this kind of breeding – for example, you can try to breed a bird from an egg. If you have the opportunity to purchase an incubator, this option can be made a reality. When buying eggs, always consider whether the parents are healthy, how strong and hardy they are. Depending on the breed, the rate of weight gain is different. Some grow fast, some slower. Also consider the color of the skin, yellow chickens are valued higher, they are bought more willingly, for the purpose of sale.

If your goal is to provide yourself with meat, there is no difference. As for the sex of broilers, on this basis, the taste of meat has no differences.

Experts recommend paying attention to the following points.

• Activity, energy of chickens: they should move well, run easily, stand firmly. If the chicks fall, sit, show no interest in food, the probability of their death is very high.
• Appearance is also important: feel the stomach, it should be strong, without swelling, the wings are of an adjacent type, do not hang, do not protrude. There should be no sagging skin, bleeding on the umbilical cord and elsewhere.
• A clear lively look without turbidity, suppuration, raids. The eyes should shine.
• Assess the color of the limbs and beak; in a healthy bird, they are usually gray with a bluish tinge.
• Check what the reaction to the noise is, whether there is any at all – to do this, hit the box in which the chick is planted. He immediately runs to the source of the sound.
• Specify how the birds are kept, what they are fed, what is the regimen, whether they have been vaccinated. If the last point is not fulfilled, the probability of a case increases many times over.
• Remember that a quality bird will not be cheap compared to other breeders. Always be guided by the prices set by nurseries with an impeccable reputation. Often prices are reduced for illiquid assets, the mortality of which is very likely.
• Buy birds of both sexes, otherwise you will not be able to breed them. When buying, compare the length of the feathers on the wing by pulling on them. In males, all feathers will be equal, in females, long ones alternate with short ones.

When buying broilers, it should be remembered that although they carry eggs, they are still focused on the meat direction. If the seller promises too much weight gain and offers various food supplements, most likely steroid chickens. This makes wholesome, dietary meat almost harmful. Therefore, it is better to refrain from such methods, broilers are already gaining weight very quickly.

Reviews

Reviews for broiler groups are mostly positive. Most often, poultry farmers write that the weight of birds is gaining fairly quickly. Many note that due to errors associated with improper care of chickens, there is an increase in the percentage of cases. Therefore, almost all broiler owners note the importance of observing the basic principles of care:

• properly organize a room for birds, cages or aviaries;
• clean the house in time, without leading to serious pollution;
• in the first days, observe the temperature regime at +32 degrees, then – from +18 to 24 degrees;
• drafts should not be allowed, while stuffiness is also harmful;
• at first, it is best to organize artificial lighting for around the clock, with a gradual reduction to 17 hours of daylight hours;
• feeding the birds correctly is very important, many have encountered errors because they believed that broilers can be fed to everyone;
• according to reviews, improper feeding provokes diarrhea, death;
• optimal feeding – special feed mixtures with the addition of vitamins.

Most opinions boil down to the fact that following these rules allows you to reduce mortality and get quality meat.

See below for more details.