Poultry birds are domesticated avian species that are raised for their meat, eggs, and feathers. The term “poultry” covers a wide range of birds, from indigenous and commercial breeds of chickens to Muscovy ducks, mallard ducks, turkeys, guinea fowl, geese, quail, pigeons, ostriches, and pheasants.
Chickens are the most common type of poultry bird, accounting for over 94% of the world’s poultry population, followed by ducks and turkeys.
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Other types of poultry birds include geese, pheasants, quails, and guineafowl. In this article, we will explore the different types of poultry birds and their uses.
7 Types Of Poultry Birds
Chickens
Chickens are the most common type of poultry bird, accounting for over 94% of the world’s poultry population. There are hundreds of chicken breeds, varying in colors, patterns, sizes, and uses.
Chickens are raised across the world for their meat and eggs. Some breeds are dual-purpose, meaning they are good for both meat and egg production, while others are bred specifically for one purpose.
Here are some of the most popular chicken breeds:
1. Plymouth Rock: This breed is historically the most popular in the United States and is an outstanding farm chicken. They are dual-purpose birds, meaning they are good for both meat and egg production.
2. ISA Brown: This breed is a hybrid chicken that is renowned for its egg-laying capability. They are a commercial type of chicken and are popular for backyard chicken keeping.
3. Barnevelder: This Dutch-bred breed is distinctive and attractive, with unique plumage and quirky personality. They are good for both meat and egg production.
4. Australorp: This Australian breed is intensely popular due to its high egg yield. They are good for both meat and egg production and are known for their docile temperament.
5. Leghorn: This iconic breed is perfect for people looking for a good egg-laying breed. They are not great as pets, as they can be skittish and noisy.
6. Rhode Island Red: This breed is friendly but somewhat loud, and the roosters can be aggressive. They are good for both meat and egg production.
7. Sussex: This breed is great for both meat and egg production and is known for its docile temperament.
These are just a few examples of the many chicken breeds available. When choosing a breed, it’s important to consider factors such as size, temperament, egg production, and physical features.
Turkeys
Turkeys are large birds that are native to North America. There are two extant turkey species: the wild turkey of eastern and central North America and the ocellated turkey of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico.
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Turkeys are dark overall with a bronze-green iridescence to most of their plumage, and their wings are dark, boldly barred with white. Wild turkeys usually get around by walking or running, but they can fly strongly, and they typically roost overnight in tall trees.
Turkeys were likely first domesticated in Pre-Columbian Mexico, where they held a cultural and symbolic importance. Compared to wild turkeys, domestic turkeys are selectively bred to grow larger in size for their meat.
Turkey forms a central part of modern Thanksgiving celebrations in the United States of America, and is often eaten at similar holiday occasions, such as Christmas. Here are some interesting facts about wild turkeys:
Wild turkeys can live up to 12 years. An adult turkey has 5,000 to 6,000 feathers. Turkeys can clock 18 miles per hour on foot and up to 50 miles per hour in flight.
In the early 1900s, wild turkeys were on the brink of extinction, with only about 200,000 left. Through conservation efforts over the past century, with funds derived from the Pittman-Robertson Act, and thanks to sportsmen and wildlife agencies, the population has rebounded to an estimated 7 million birds.
Turkeys are primarily raised for their meat, which is a popular choice for Thanksgiving and other holidays.
Ducks
Ducks are a type of poultry bird that are often raised for their meat, eggs, and feathers. While ducks and chickens are both poultry birds, they have some distinct differences. For example, ducks need water to aid them in swallowing dry food when they eat, and they also need water to keep their feathers clean and healthy.
In contrast, chickens do not require water to aid in swallowing food, and they can be kept in a dry environment. Duck farming requires more attention to detail than other poultry, and the litter conditions and water supply are of prime importance. Ducks are hardy, excellent foragers, and easy to herd, particularly in wetlands, where they tend to flock together.
However, when kept in confinement and fed balanced rations, ducks have high feed wastage, which makes their feed use less efficient and explains why their meat and eggs are more expensive than those of chickens.
There are many types of ducks available, and each breed has its unique characteristics and uses. Some breeds are good for egg production, while others are better for meat or pest control.
Geese
Geese are a type of poultry bird that are often raised for their meat, eggs, and feathers. Domestic geese have been derived through selective breeding from the wild greylag goose and swan goose. Geese are social animals that form flocks and are highly communicative. They are monogamous and loyal to their partners and flock.
Geese establish a pecking order, and once having established that, they do not need constant fighting. They can become territorial in their breeding season. Geese are more like grazing animals than any other type of poultry, and their beak and tongue are particularly well-equipped for grazing.
There are many breeds of geese available, and each breed has its unique characteristics and uses. Some breeds are good for meat production, while others are better for egg production or pest control. The most common geese raised for meat are the Embden, Toulouse, and Pilgrim.
Geese are among the fastest-growing avian species commonly raised for meat, and goose meat is fatter than other poultry meats, but it is well accepted by many local populations.
Geese are also used for their feathers, which are used for bedding and clothing. Due to their highly aggressive nature, loud call, and sensitivity to unusual movements, geese can contribute towards the security of a property.
Pheasants
Pheasants are a type of poultry bird that are often raised for their meat and are sometimes mistaken for wild chickens. Pheasants and chickens are similar birds and are quite closely related, both belonging to the Phasianidae family, which also includes partridges, jungle fowl, turkeys, and quail.
However, there are some distinct differences between pheasants and chickens, including appearance, diet, domestication, and population. Pheasants are ground-dwelling birds and are relatively large when compared to songbirds, with an average height of 23-35 inches. Pheasants are some of the most colorful birds around, with many different species.
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Pheasants require medium-high grasslands, undisturbed legumes and grasses, and wetlands for nesting and brood rearing. Pheasants are not domestic animals, and even farm-raised pheasants will have a lot of wild in them. They are more skittish than chickens and are always looking to escape.
Pheasants are smaller than chickens, and they need to eat only game bird feed. Eating the wrong food, or even eating parts of their litter, can impact their gizzards and kill them. Pheasants are raised commercially for meat and/or for release in hunting preserves.
Quails
Quails are a type of poultry bird that are often raised for their meat and eggs. They are smaller than chickens, which makes them ideal for small-scale farming and urban homesteading.
Quails are easy to raise and require less space, time, and resources than chickens. They are also less noisy than chickens, making them a good option for urban areas where noise is a concern. Quail eggs are smaller than chicken eggs, but they are considered a delicacy in many parts of the world.
Quail eggs are also more nutritious than chicken eggs, containing more protein and iron. There are many breeds of quails available, and each breed has its unique characteristics and uses. The most common breed of quail raised for meat and eggs is the Coturnix quail, which is easy to raise and has a high egg-laying capability.
Quails are hardy birds that don’t get sick frequently, as long as their environment is kept clean and they are not crowded into a hutch that is too small. Quails are fed a diet containing approximately 25% protein, and they should be given proper care and attention.
Guineafowl
Guineafowl are a type of poultry bird that are endemic to Africa and are among the oldest of the gallinaceous birds. They are related to other game birds such as pheasants, turkeys, and chickens.
Guineafowl are hardy, vigorous, and largely disease-free birds that are increasingly popular among keepers of small and backyard flocks. They are highly social birds and tend to languish when alone.
Guineafowl are often used as a security system against birds of prey, as they will call with their loud, high shrieking voices if concerned about intruders. They are also valuable pest controllers, eating many insects, and are especially beneficial in controlling the Lyme disease-carrying deer tick, as well as wasp nests.
Guineafowl can be raised for meat and egg production, and their meat is lean and rich in essential amino acids. The most common domesticated guineafowl is the helmeted guineafowl, which has been introduced as a domesticated bird widely elsewhere.
Guineafowl are available in many color variations, including white, purple, slate, chocolate, lavender, coral blue, bronze, pewter, buff dundotte, blonde, and various pieds.
FAQS
1. What are the most common types of poultry birds?
The most common types of poultry birds are chickens, turkeys, and ducks.
2. What are the differences between chickens, quails, and pheasants?
Chickens, quails, and pheasants are all land fowl, but they differ in size, color, plumage, diet, and habitat. Chickens are the most common type of poultry bird and are raised for meat and eggs. Quails are smaller than chickens and are easier to raise, requiring less space, time, and resources. Pheasants are game birds, typically produced for hunting and meat consumption.
3. What are the differences between ducks and chickens?
Ducks and chickens are both poultry birds, but they have some distinct differences. Ducks need water to aid them in swallowing dry food when they eat, and they also need water to keep their feathers clean and healthy. In contrast, chickens do not require water to aid in swallowing food, and they can be kept in a dry environment.
4. What are the differences between geese and chickens?
Geese and chickens are both poultry birds, but they have some distinct differences. Geese are more like grazing animals than any other type of poultry, and their beak and tongue are particularly well-equipped for grazing. They are also highly aggressive and territorial, making them good for security and pest control. Chickens, on the other hand, are not grazing animals and are less aggressive.
5. What are the differences between quails and chickens?
Quails and chickens are both poultry birds, but they have some distinct differences. Quails are smaller than chickens and are easier to raise, requiring less space, time, and resources. They are also less noisy than chickens, making them a good option for urban areas where noise is a concern. Quail eggs are smaller than chicken eggs, but they are considered a delicacy in many parts of the world.
6. What are the differences between turkeys and chickens?
Turkeys and chickens are both poultry birds, but they have some distinct differences. Turkeys are larger than chickens and are primarily raised for their meat, which is a popular choice for Thanksgiving and other holidays. Turkeys are also more energetic and have a greater need for open spaces to roam and forage.
7. What are the differences between guineafowl and chickens?
Guineafowl and chickens are both poultry birds, but they have some distinct differences. Guineafowl are highly social birds and tend to languish when alone. They are also valuable pest controllers, eating many insects, and are especially beneficial in controlling the Lyme disease-carrying deer tick. Guineafowl are also used for their meat, which is lean and rich in essential amino acids. Chickens, on the other hand, are not as social and are primarily raised for their meat and eggs.
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Category: Birds
