Broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) are a domesticated fowl, a subspecies of the Red Junglefowl, bred and raised specifically for meat production. Chickens are one of the most common and widespread domestic animals, and with a population of 19 billion in 2011, there are more chickens in the world than any other species of bird. Typical broilers have white feathers and yellowish skin. Most commercial broilers bred for meat reach slaughter weight at between 5 to 7 weeks of age, although slower growing strains reach slaughter weight at approximately 14 weeks of age. Because of this young age, much of their behaviour and physiology is that of an immature bird. Broilers and egg laying hen are the same species and share many characteristics, however, due to the rapid growth and selection for enlarged breast muscles, broilers are susceptible to different welfare concerns, particularly skeletal malformation and dysfunction. Broilers are usually grown as mixed-sex flocks in large sheds under intensive conditions, but some strains can be grown as free-range...

        The California Gray is an American breed of domestic chicken bred in the U.S. The objective of the breed is to produce a dual-purpose chicken that is both suitable for meat and egg production. This breeds produces large white eggs. It is a cross between Barred Plymouth Rock rooster and a White Leghorn hen. The males of the species are around 5.5lb. and females are...

        Typical broilers have white feathers and yellowish skin. The gene for yellow skin was introduced into domestic birds through hybridization with the grey junglefowl (G. sonneratii). Modern crosses are best for meat production because they lack the typical hair which many breeds have that necessitates singeing after plucking. Both male and female broilers are reared for their meat. Most commercial broilers reach slaughter-weight at around five to seven weeks of age but slower growing breeds reach slaughter-weight approximately at 14 weeks of age. Females over a year old are known as hens and younger females as pullets although in the egg-laying industry, a pullet becomes a hen when she begins to lay eggs at 16 to 24 weeks of age. Broiler chickens are farmed for meat and usually live till 6 years of age but reach consumption age at 6...

        In the US Poussin is an alternative name for a small-sized cross-breed chicken called Rock Cornish game hen, developed in the late 1950s, which is twice as old and twice as large as the typical British poussin. Poussin, also known as coquelet or spring chick, is a young chicken less than 28 days old and usually weighs 14–16 oz but not above 26 oz. Although, spring chicken usually refers to chickens weighing 26–30 oz. The meat is very tender and...

      In the United States, a Cornish game hen, also sometimes called a Cornish hen, poussin, Rock Cornish hen, or simply Rock Cornish, is a hybrid chicken. Cornish Game hen is a a young immature chicken that is less than five weeks of age and weighing no more than two pounds ready-to-cook. Cornish Game Hen also has shorter growing span of only 28 to 30 days. It is not a game bird but a broiler chicken and the most common strain of commercially raised meat chickens. Though the bird is called a “hen”, it can be either male or...

                  The Silkie is a breed of chicken named for its plumage which has a silky feel to it. The breed has black skin and bones, blue earlobes, grayish-black meat and five toes on each foot unlike most chickens who only have four. Standard Silkies are relatively small chickens, with the males weighing only 4lb. and the females weighing 3lb. Silkies are also well known for their calm and friendly temperament; one of the more docile of poultry. Hens are also exceptionally broody. There are two distinct varieties of Silkies: Bearded and Non-bearded. Bearded Silkies also have a muff of feathers under the beak area that covers their earlobes. They are also come in different colors: Black, Blue, Buff, Grey, Partridge, White as well as less common color like Cuckoo, Lavender, Red, and...