Available Breeds

A visual destination for breed selection and comparison.

Breed selection should start with the production objective. Consider whether the operation is focused on meat, eggs, breeding stock or a mixed system, then compare breeds and commercial strains against housing, climate, feed availability, management capacity and market requirements.

Common poultry choices include commercial broiler strains selected for meat production and commercial layer strains selected for egg production. Examples seen in commercial production include Cobb and Ross broiler lines and Lohmann and Hy-Line layer lines. Availability and suitability vary by market, hatchery and production system, so producers should confirm current supply and performance information before placing an order.

Compare birds on growth or laying performance, feed efficiency, livability, environmental tolerance, temperament, egg characteristics where applicable, and the support available from the breeder or hatchery. The right choice is the one that fits the farm's resources and the market it serves.