Classification of Poultry
By Purpose/Utility
Type | Age Range | Description |
Broiler | 6–8 weeks | Young chicken (either sex), reared for meat |
Grower | 9–20 weeks | Management stage before egg-laying begins |
Layer | 21–72 weeks | Managed for egg production |
Poultry Breeds
Based on Class/Origin
Class | Breeds |
American | Rhode Island Red, New Hampshire, Plymouth Rock |
Mediterranean | Leghorn, Minorca, Ancona |
English | Sussex, Australorp |
Asiatic | Brahma, Cochin, Langshan |
Indian Indigenous | Aseel, Kadaknath, Ghagus, Naked Neck, Chittagong, Denki |
Important Breeds with Details
Breed | Native Place | Utility/Remark |
Rhode Island Red | Rhode Island, USA | Dual-purpose, ~100 eggs/year |
White Leghorn | Italy | Highest egg producer (~220 eggs/year) |
Red Cornish | England | Famous in America for meat |
Plymouth Rock | USA | Best meat quality |
Aseel | Uttar Pradesh, India | Fighting breed, ~70 eggs/year (40g/egg) |
Kadaknath | Madhya Pradesh, India | Black meat (Kali Masi), high protein |
Indian Poultry Statistics
Parameter | Value |
Global Rank in Egg Production | 5th |
Per Capita Egg Consumption | 33 eggs (Recommended: 180/year) |
Egg Science and Technology
Egg Structure & Composition
Component | % of Egg Weight |
Yolk | 30% |
Albumen (White) | 58% |
Shell + Membranes | 12% |
- Avg. Egg Weight: 50–60 g
- Nutrient Composition (per 100 g):
- Protein: 12%
- Fat: 11%
- Minerals: 12%
- Water: 65%
- Calories: 148 kcal
Egg Grading (By Weight)
Grade | Weight (gm) |
Extra Large | ≥ 60 |
Large | 53–59 |
Medium | 45–52 |
Small | 38–44 |
AGMARK Grading
Grade | Characteristics |
Grade A | Clean, unbroken shell, air cell ≤ 4mm, firm white, centered yolk |
Grade B | Slightly tainted shell, air cell ≤ 8mm, yolk slightly off-centered |
No Grade | Contaminated (smoke, chemicals, etc.), affecting appearance/quality, but edible |
Poultry & Egg Production
What is a broiler? A broiler is a young chicken reared primarily for meat, marketed at 6–8 weeks of age.
What is a layer? A layer is a hen managed from 21–72 weeks for commercial egg production.
What is the grower period in poultry? The grower period is from 9–20 weeks before the bird starts laying eggs.
Which is the top egg-producing state in India? Andhra Pradesh.
What is the recommended per capita egg consumption by ICMR? 180 eggs per year.
Name one high egg-yielding breed. White Leghorn.
Name a dual-purpose poultry breed. Rhode Island Red.
What is the native place of Kadaknath? Madhya Pradesh.
Which breed is known for black meat? Kadaknath.
What is the average weight of a hen’s egg? 50–60 grams.
What percentage of an egg is albumen (white)? 58%.
How much protein does an egg contain? About 12% of its total weight.
What is the energy value of 100g egg? Around 148 kilocalories.
Name a commercial broiler strain. Vencobb.
Name a commercial layer strain. Hyline WS-36.
Central Avian Research Institute? Bareilly.
What class does Leghorn belong to? Mediterranean.
