Modern poultry breeding is carried out by crossbreeding or hybridization within one breed or by crossing lines from different breeds.
Although pure breeds as such are no longer in circulation for direct commercial use, they still have a large significance as components of the modern commercial end products. These breeds are described briefly as below:
White Leghorn
Features
The White Leghorn is a light white feathered bird, laying white eggs.
Has low body weight that enables it to withstand high ambient temperatures better than heavier birds,
The bird is also rather nervous.
Has a low carcass value.
Rhode Island Red
Features
Rhode Island Red is adark brown feathered and lays brown eggs.
The bird is heavier, quiet tempered.
Susceptible to high ambient temperatures.
Under poor conditions its viability is probably somewhat better.
Its carcass value is higher, but so is its feed consumption.
Light sussex
The Light Sussex has been an important component in some of the medium weight laying hybrids.
It is a white bird with black striped neck feathers and a black tail.
White cornish
The White Cornish is a heavy, white feathered breed, laying brown shelled eggs.
It has been developed for the quality and quantity of its meat.
White Plymouth rock
Has same features as White Cornish though to a lesser extent.
It retains a higher egg producing capability.
NB: Broiler breeder stock is almost entirely composed of White Cornish (WC) and White Plymouth Rock (WPR).
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