POULTRY
aggressive. Still, among any
given flock, temperament will
Amber Link and ISA Brown
be influenced more by
Layers.
pecking order than by
If you are keeping chickens
for meat, some breeds make genetic tendency. Those
higher in the pecking order
better roasts than others.
Commercial meat birds, such are the more aggressive birds
as Ross and Cobb, grow very and those lower in the order
are more submissive and
fast on good quality, ad lib
quantities of broiler feed over docile.
8-10 weeks. These birds can Some breeds are more
"flighty" and high-strung than
get very big, very fast and
others as well. If you have
end up looking like body
small children, picking a
builders. Other broiler
particularly "docile" breed
breeds include Sussex and
might be a good fit. The
Cornish.
But most smallholders favour Australorps and Brahmas are
regarded as docile.
dual-purpose breeds, which
While there are many
will provide eggs and be
different breeds available in
good-eating. Examples of
South Africa, it is often
popular general purpose
breeds are Australorp, Rhode difficult to find pure-bred
chickens.
Island Red and White, Buff
Orpington, Leghorn and New Starting a chicken flock with
Hampshire, all of which have adult birds, though less
common than raising chicks,
bantam derivatives.
is a great way to have a
Another factor to consider
when choosing your breed is productive coop from day
one. But your flock won't be
hardiness. This refers to the
breed's ability to sustain itself productive if they aren't
happy and healthy. When
through all conditions,
you buy adult chickens for
extremes of temperatures,
your flock, check for these
drought and tougher times,
any genetic weaknesses, and signs of a healthy bird and of
a reputable breeder or
its tendency to forage versus
poultry shop:
eating feed, often called
"thriftiness." Here indigenous K The birds should have
breeds come into their own. bright, clear eyes.
K They should have clean
Breeds include Boschvelder,
nostrils, with no discharge.
Naked Neck, Venda,
Ovambo, Potch Koekoek and K They should breathe with
their beaks shut, unless they
Natal Game. They also tend
have just been chased to be
to be dual-purpose.
caught or the day is very hot.
There are people who
choose a breed based on the K The comb and wattles
colour of eggs that they lay or should be plump and glossy.
K They should not have any
on what they look like. This
swellings or lumps on the
latter factor will of course
body. Don't mistake a full
count if you want to show
crop on the neck for a lump.
your fowls.
K Their legs should be
Other people want hens to
smooth, with shiny skin. They
raise chicks for them, then
smaller breeds such as Silkies will have four or five toes,
and Pekins are great mothers depending on the breed.
They should not have any
and will happily sit on any
hatching eggs of your choice swellings or lumps on the
bottom of the feet.
– these are fertilised eggs
K The feathers should look
which you can buy from a
smooth, and there should be
breeder.
no large patches of bare skin.
Lastly, you might want to
consider the temperament of Look carefully through the
feathers for lice or mites.
the breed. Breeds are
K The birds should be alert.
described as docile or
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