Although it is a very simple and easy way to raise chickens without much technical knowledge, it is still very important to choose the right breed of chickens and determine the best poultry breeds for profitable poultry farming among hundreds of breeds of chickens. As it is very easy and profitable to raise chickens, many people are now raising chickens at home or on the farm, whether commercially or for their own consumption.
There are many species of chickens around us, some chickens lay very few eggs throughout their lives. There are also some hens that lay many more eggs in their lifetime, even up to 275 to 300 eggs per year which is a suitable breed of chicken for a poultry farm, and there are some breeds of chickens from which only meat is available. Finally, we would like to talk about some of the breeds of chickens that give meat and eggs simultaneously which we dual-purpose breeds.
Here we will try to describe three types of poultry breeds;
(1) Poultry breeds for egg production
(2) Poultry breeds for meat production
(3) Poultry breeds for both egg & meat production (Dual-purpose)
Table of Contents
Best Poultry Breeds For Profitable Poultry Farming
Finally, we have described the name and characteristics of the best poultry breeds for profitable poultry farming below.
1. Egg Productive Poultry Breeds (Layers)
The chickens raised for egg production are generally known as layer chickens. Most of the commercial layer poultry breed start laying eggs at the age of five to six mounts, though this time may vary with the different type breeds.
Most of the egg-producing breeds continuously lay about 250 to 300 eggs per year. Some strains lay about 330 eggs per year. Some highly egg productive breeds are Hybrid, Rhode Island Red, Leghorn, Sussex, Minorca, Ancona, Fayoumi, Isa-brown, Babcock, star-cross, Lohmann, etc.
1.1 Characteristics
Most of the egg-producing poultry breeds are weigh less than comparatively other poultry breeds. They gain sexual maturity earlier, four to five months.
They have generally less egg incubating trend than others. Commercial egg-producing poultry breeds start laying eggs within five to six months of age.
They are very efficient in converting food to eggs within a very short time. Their body contains less fat than meat-producing breeds. Egg producing power is very high and consistent and lay big-sized eggs as well.
2. Meat Productive Poultry Breeds (Broilers)
Commercial meat-producing poultry breeds are commonly known as broilers. These types of poultry breeds are used for only commercial meat production purposes.
Broilers meat is naturally very soft and tasty. Most people like it as an alternative to red meat. This low-fat meat is also helpful for our health. They weigh about 2 to 2.5 kg within their 40 to 50 days of age, consuming about only 4 kg of food.
They become suitable for marketing within 6 to 7 weeks. The world’s most popular breeds of broiler poultry are Star-bro, Plymouth-rock, Cornish, Brahma, Hy-line, Rose broiler, Asil, Cochin, etc.
2.1 Characteristics
As meat-producing breeds, their weight is much than other poultry breeds. Naturally, they don’t incubate their eggs, but if it happens, which is very rare.
They have good efficiency at Food to meat converting. These poultry breeds grow very fast and drink much amount of water.
Generally, their body contains a lot of fat. These meat-producing breeds have low power of egg-producing. They become very big-sized within a very short time.
3. Dual-Purpose Poultry Breeds
Generally, dual-purpose poultry breeds are raised by non-commercial farmers. These breeds are farmed non-insensibly for both meat and egg production.
Popular dual-purpose breeds for both meat and egg production are; New Hampshire, Australorp, Rhode-island-red, Plymouth, etc.
3.1 Characteristics
These types of poultry breeds are medium in size. Their body weight is comparatively high.
They may have a trend for hatching eggs. Lay less egg and produce less meat than egg productive breeds and meat productive breeds.
They contain a proper ratio of fat in their body. They grow very well and attain maturity very fast.
