Izaak Breitenbach, general manager of the Broiler Organisation at the South African Poultry Association (Sapa), says there are three basic breeds used by the broiler industry worldwide, namely the Ross, Arbor Acres and Cobb. These three breeds were bred specifically to meet the requirements of broiler production.
These breeds are owned by two international companies that invest a lot of research into breeding the right type of genetics that will guarantee success. They select for rapid growth, a good feed conversion ratio, white feathers, low mortality and disease resistance. “These researchers are constantly striving to improve the breeds and are working on around 60 traits at a time,” he explains.
The right chicken
Several breeds have been tested in the poultry industry as a whole, but in the broiler industry, each breed has a specific function. When you start farming on a large scale, it is best not to use one breed for two purposes. Roosters that breed layer hens, for example, are not suitable for breeding broilers. These chickens have poor growth, feed too much and are not fleshy – on a plate they look rather emaciated and are anything but juicy.
Layer hens, explains Izaak, are suitable for egg production but not for broiler production. Backyard chickens, on the other hand, are slow growers and suitable for occasionally laying an egg. Their real purpose is to scratch in the garden to keep if free from pests.
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