Classification Of Poultry: Taxonomical, Breeds, Strain

Are you searching for information about the classification of poultry? If yes, you are in the right place. Here we are describing more about poultry classification. Hope this guide will help you. Actually, learning about classification of poultry is a must for successful poultry farming business. It helps to manage and select birds effectively for specific purposes.

All kinds of poultry birds lived in the forest, in ancient time. In case of chicken, India and middle area of East Asia is considered as the original homeland of chicken.

Jungle chicken of prehistoric era first raised as domestic bird in some area like Malay and Java of south east Asia. Then people used to hunt bird form jungle for meat and raise them at home for chicken fight as a source of entertainment.

It is thought that, modern chicken originated from red jungle chicken of that time. Here we are trying to describe more about poultry classification based on the class, breed, variety, strain, purpose etc.

What is Classification of Poultry?

The classification of poultry involves dividing the domesticated birds into different categories based on species, purpose, and physical traits.

Why is Poultry Classification Important?

Poultry classification is important because it helps to manage and select birds effectively for specific purposes. Classification of poultry streamlines the poultry industry by categorizing birds based on species, purpose, and physical characteristics. This classification is also important in optimizing meat and egg production, improving bird health, and ensuring that poultry meet market demands. It also helps in selecting birds for their desired traits.

Taxonomical Classification of Poultry

Different poultry species are classified taxonomically in several hierarchical levels. We have already mentioned above. However, here is a general overview of the taxonomic classifications for some common poultry species.

Chickens

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Galliformes
• Family: Phasianidae
• Genus: Gallus
• Species: Gallus gallus domesticus

Turkeys

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Galliformes
• Family: Meleagrididae
• Genus: Meleagris
• Species: Meleagris gallopavo

Ducks

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Anseriformes
• Family: Anatidae
• Genus: Anas
• Species: Anas platyrhynchos domesticus

Geese

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Anseriformes
• Family: Anatidae
• Genus: Anser
• Species: Anser anser domesticus

Quail

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Galliformes
• Family: Phasianidae
• Genus: Coturnix
• Species: Coturnix coturnix

Pigeons

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Columbiformes
• Family: Columbidae
• Genus: Columba
• Species: Columba livia domestica

Guinea Fowl

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Galliformes
• Family: Numididae
• Genus: Numida
• Species: Numida meleagris

Pheasants

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Galliformes
• Family: Phasianidae
• Genus: Phasianus
• Species: Phasianus colchicus

Poultry Classification Based on Class

Poultry birds can be classified into different categories. For example, chicken originated from a certain place with same or similar characteristics are of same class. For example, Asiatic class, European class, American class etc.

Poultry Classification Based on Breeds

Different poultry birds are classified into different categories based on the breed. For example, under a same class, chicken with same size, shape and characteristic similarity with each other are of same breed. Like, Leghorn, Minorca etc.

Poultry Classification Based on Variety

Poultry birds are also classified into different categories based on variety. Variety is detected by feather color, heat crest or other physical characteristics within a breed. For example, White Leghorn, Black Minorca etc.

Poultry Classification Based on Strain

Strain are made for a certain purpose by internal insemination of at least five generation. For example, Star Cross White, Star Cross Brown, Star Brow etc.

Hybrid

In case of chicken, the hybrid chicken are developed for increasing quality and production by inseminating with same or other breed strain. Hybrid chicken become more productive than their parents.

Layer Hybrid: Layer hybrid are made for producing more eggs by inseminating with same or other selected breeds.

Broiler Hybrid: Meat producing birds are called broilers. In case of chickens, broilers are 6-8 weeks old chicken weighs between 2-2.5 kg, which are used for only meat production purpose.

Poultry Classification Based on Age

Poultry birds are also classified into different categories based on their age. For example, chicken aged between 9-20 weeks of age are called growing chickens.

Poultry Classification According to Origin

In case of chickens, they are classified into different categories according to their origin. The chicken are of four types based on their origin.

1. Asiatic Poultry Breeds: Brahma, longson, cochin, asil etc.
2. English Poultry Breeds: Austrolorp, cornish, dorking, orpington etc.
3. Mediterranean Poultry Breeds: Leghorn, minorca, ancona, fayoumi etc.
4. American Poultry Breeds: Road island red, new hampshire, plymouth rock etc.

Classification On the Basis of Production

In case of chickens, they are classified into different categories on the basis of production.

1. Layer Poultry

Layer is for egg production. Some popular layer chicken breeds are Leghorn, Minorca, Ancona, Fayoumi, Isa Brown, Babycock, Star Cross, Lohman etc. And some popular laying duck breeds are Khaki Campbell, Indian Runner etc.

2. Broiler Poultry

Broiler is for meat production. For example, broiler chicken are only for meat production. Some popular broiler chicken breeds are Plymouth Rock, Cornish, Sussex, Dorking, Cochin, Brahma, Asil, Star Brow, Hi-line etc.

3. Dual-Purpose Poultry

This types of breed are used for the purpose of both egg and meat production. Some popular dual-purpose chicken breeds are Rhode island red, New Hampshire, Plymouth Rock etc.

These are the classification of poultry. Hope this guide has helped you! May God bless you!

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

People often ask questions related to poultry classification. Here we are going to list the most common and frequently asked questions about the classification of poultry.