Exercise No.

5
CLASSIFICATION AND SELECTION OF POULTRY

Introduction
Poultry is the fastest growing among all livestock sectors. It has a strong demand in
the market as it is widely recognized in rural and urban sectors. Poultry as defined, is a
collective term for all domesticated bird rendered to economic services for man. It also refers
to the dressed carcass of fowls and may be defined as the structures or building that houses
the birds. This includes the species such as chickens, ducks, geese, guinea fowls, quails and
other domesticated birds. The species in poultry are classified according to their use and
place of origin. Entering to poultry production industry helps in boosting rural agriculture that
helps in securing food and income to the people. Therefore the classification and selection of
poultry should be considered so that the production on poultry will be properly managed and
the security on food and cost will be ensured.

Objectives
1. Discuss the different breeds of poultry species and their purposes.
2. To classify different poultry species available in the DAS poultry projects.

Methodology
1. The students should have actual visit to the DAS poultry project.
2. Identify the different breeds of poultry species found in the poultry projects of the
Department of Animal Science.
3. Differentiate the distinguishing features of male and female species listed below.
Activities
1. Write down the terminologies used in naming animals based on its gender and list
down 3 distinguishing characteristics between male and female poultry animal based
on their external anatomy.
Technical Name (mature animal)
Species Male Female
Chicken Rooster Hen
Mallard/Muscovy Duck Drake Hen
Turkey Gobblers Hen
 Geese Gander Dame
Ostrich Rooster Hen

Quail Cock Hen

3 distinguishing characteristics between male and female poultry animal based on their
external anatomy
Chicken
- The differences between males and females include the size of the comb and wattles,
the size of the spurs (in older birds), and the characteristics of the hackle and cape
feathers. Hackle and cape feathers of males have pointed ends, whereas those of
females have rounded ends. In addition, males have sickle feathers in their tails and
hackle feathers on their backs, and females do not.
Mallard/Muscovy Duck
- The male ducks have more colorful feathers and bills and the females generally
exhibit duller colors. The male Mallard ducks have glossy green heads, bright yellow
bills and bodies of brown, gray and black whereas the female Mallards have an
orange and brown bill and a mottled-brown body color. The male ducks will have
very bright coloration in their plumage for attracting mates during the mating season.

Turkey
- While male turkeys have more impressive plumage and display distinctive tail fan,
only females have head feathers while all male turkeys are completely bald. On
males, these feathers have black tips. The feather tips are brown on females. Male
turkeys have larger wattles, the flap of skin under their beak, than females.

Geese
- The tail feathers on an adult male goose are rounded; on a female, the tail feathers are
pointed. The male geese are slow and low-pitched voice, typical ‘h-ronk!’ while the
female geese are quick and high-pitched “hink” or “ka-ronk” sound. After mating, the
male will stand guard to protect his mate and future young from potential threats
while the female builds nest and lays 5-12 eggs for wild species 20-60 eggs on
average for domestic. Incubates eggs for an average of 30 days before hatching.
Ostrich
- Females and young males are grayish-brown and white. The head and neck of both
male and female ostriches are nearly bare, with a thin layer of down. The skin of the
female's neck and thighs is pinkish gray, while the male's is gray or pink dependent on
subspecies.
Quail
- The birds usually are sexed by the difference in color of the breast feathers, the male
having brownish- red feathers and the female characteristically having tan (gray)
feathers with black speckles. Males have white chin and eyebrow patches, while
females have brown coloration there instead. However, the male of the species has a
cream-colored throat; the female's throat is light brown.

Morphological Differences
Species Male Female
Chicken Larger & redder combs and Shorter & thinner legs and
wattles (noticeable around rounded feathers
8 weeks of age), thicker
legs, and a stockier build.
Mallard/Muscovy Duck Males are larger and Are usually curvier, pointy
heavier than the females. and narrow, and have a
Tend to have a straight, flat ridge down the middle and
and wide bill. have loud and distinctive
quack
Turkey Their feathers have black Their feather tips are
tips, have larger wattles brown, have feathers on
and have a flap under the head and have smaller and
skin. shorter legs.
Geese The crown (head) is bigger The female's neck is
and broader; the male neck shorter and slimmer and
is thicker and has a their tail feather is pointed
rounded tail feather. one
Ostrich The male is mostly black Have brownish-grey
but has white plumes in the feathers.
wings and tail.
Significantly larger.
Quail A bulge pops up when No bulge and no foam
pressed down and foam when you press the cloaca,
comes out from the cloaca. and light colored feathers.
Rust-colored feathers.

2. List down the different poultry animals raised at DAS and provide information on
Breed, Class and Type. (Use separate sheet if necessary)
 Species Breed Class Type Morphological
Characteristics
1. Chicken Rhode island Aves Galliformes have red-orange eyes,
red reddish-brown beaks, and
yellow feet and legs, often
with a bit of reddish hue on
the toes and sides of the
shanks.

2. Guinea White-breasted Aves Galiformes Medium-sized, terrestrial

fowl bird with small head. Bare
red head and upper neck.
Pure white lower neck,
breast and upper back. Rest
of plumage black, finely
vermiculated with white

3. Turkey Bronze turkey Aves Galiformes The plumage of the Standard

Bronze is usually lighter and
more lustrous than that of
the Broad Breasted.

4. Duck Muscovy and Aves Anserforme Muscovy are large, heavy-

mallard s bodied ducks with long
necks that can make them
look like small geese. And
The mallard is a large and
heavy looking duck. It has a
long body, and a long and
broad bill.

5. Quail Bible quail Aves Galiformes Have a distinctive body

shape with a small stocky
body and long pointed
wings.

3. What are the factors to consider in selecting poultry animal based on the type of
production?
Production Type Poultry Characteristics
Poultry meat production Characteristics on selecting poultry animals
based on meat production are as follows: the
breed of the bird, the growth rate of the bird,
the feed conversion ratio, disease resistance,
livability, and adaptability to the production
environment.
Egg production (layers) Characteristics on selecting poultry animals
based on egg production are as follows: the
breed, egg production rate, egg size and
quality, feed conversion ratio, disease
 resistance, livability, and adaptability to the
production environment.
Gamefowl production Characteristics on selecting poultry animals
based on gamefowl production are as
follows: the breed, growth rate, stamina,
agility, aggressiveness, feed conversion
ratio, disease resistance, livability, and
adaptability to the production environment.
Free range chicken production Characteristics on selecting poultry animals
based on free range chicken production are
as follows: the breed, growth rate, feed
conversion ratio, disease resistance,
livability, adaptability to the production
environment, foraging ability, vigor, and
maternal characteristics.
Balut/penoy production Characteristics on selecting poultry animals
based on Balut/penoy production are as
follows: the breed of the bird, feed
conversion ratio, disease resistance,
adaptability to the production environment,
good foragers, and have a calm
temperament.

4. Why is it important to classify poultry animals based on their use before the start of
production? (at least 5 sentences)
Classifying poultry animals based on their use before the start of production is important
for several reasons. Firstly, different types of poultry are suited to different purposes, such as
egg laying or meat production. By selecting the appropriate breeds for each purpose, farmers
can maximize their yield and profitability. Secondly, it allows for better management of the
birds, as their feed, housing, and health requirements can vary depending on their intended
use. Thirdly, proper classification can help prevent disease outbreaks, as birds intended for
meat production may be more susceptible to certain illnesses than those meant for egg laying.
Overall, proper classification of poultry animals is essential for efficient and profitable
production, as well as ensuring the health and welfare of the birds.

V. References
Fletcher, D. L. (2002, June 1). Poultry meat quality. Worlds Poultry Science Journal;
Cambridge University Press.
Freelancer, W. (2022, January 27). Quail Facts & Worksheets. KidsKonnect.

White-breasted Guineafowl (Agelastes meleagrides) - BirdLife species factsheet. (n.d.).

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (1998, July 20). Chicken | bird. Encyclopedia

Britannica.

Staff. (2023, March 28). Classification of Poultry: Best 6 Fascinating Facts. ROYS FARM.

Pashudhan praharee. (2022, March 18). CLASSIFICATION OF POULTRY BREEDS.

An introduction to poultry and eggs farming | Department of Agriculture, Environment and

Rural Affairs. (2018b, May 24). DAERA.

Poultry species | Gateway to poultry production and products | Food and Agriculture

Organization of the United Nations. (n.d.).

Selecting a Site for Livestock and Poultry Operations. (n.d.). MU Extension.

Alders, R., Costa, R., Gallardo, R. A., Sparks, N. H., & Zhou, H. (2018, January Smallholder

Poultry: Leveraging for Sustainable Food and Nutrition Security.

Upton, E. (2020, April 11). Poultry Farming Terminology - What’s in a Name? - Backyard

Poultry. Backyard Poultry.