Poultry Breeds, Care, and Diseases Overview

Ducks

Pekin (China), Muscovy (Brazil), Khaki Campbell (UK).

Geese

Embden (Germany), Toulouse (France), Chinese Goose (China).

Quail

Coturnix japonica (Japan).

Turkey

Native to Mexico and North America.

Ducks Incubation Period

Pekin & Mallard - 28 days; Muscovy - 34-36 days. Egg wt: ~60-70g.

Chickens Incubation Period

21 days. Egg wt: 50-60g.

Quail Incubation Period

16-18 days (avg. 17 days). Egg wt: 9.8g.

Turkey Incubation Period

28 days, Egg wt: ~90g.

Chicken Weight at Hatch

35-40g.

Duckling Weight at Hatch

~50-60g.

Quail Chick Weight at Hatch

~6-8g.

Turkey Poult Weight at Hatch

~50-60g.

Ducks Age & Weight at Maturity

8-10 wks; Pekin 4kg (drake), 3kg (duck).

Chickens Age & Weight at Maturity

~22 weeks; 1.5-2 kg.

Quail Age at Maturity

Laying starts at 5-6 wks.

Turkey Age & Weight at Maturity

5-7 months; 7-8 kg.

Ostrich Age & Weight at Maturity

2-4 years; 100-160 kg.

Pekin & Mallard

- 28 days

Pekin Duck

Meat type, white feathers, from China, fast-growing.

Muscovy Duck

Meat type, called Brazilian or Barbary duck, variety of colors, largest body size.

Khaki Campbell Duck

Egg-type, cross of Rouen and Indian Runner, 300 eggs/year.

Indian Runner Duck

Egg-type, upright posture, 150-200 eggs/year.

Mallard Duck

Local duck, egg-type, 200-270 eggs/year.

Toulouse Goose

From France, heavy breed, 35 eggs/year.

Embden Goose

From Germany, heavy breed, 40 eggs/year, white plumage.

Chinese Goose

Watchdog breed, knobbed beak, 50 eggs/year.

Quail Varieties

Pharaoh/Wild Type, Manchurian Golden, British Range, Tuxedo, Japanese Seattle, Taiwan.

Chicken Native Types

Banaba, Bolinao, Paroakan, Camarines. Used in egg-type layers.

1 male:4 females.

Quail Breeding Ratio

1 male:8-10 hens.

Turkey Breeding Ratio

1 male:2-4 hens.

Ostrich Breeding Ratio

1 male:12 hens (with AI).

Geese Breeding Ratio

Ducks Color

Pekin (creamy white), Muscovy (black, blue, white, mix), Khaki Campbell (brownish), Mallard (black with white bib).

Geese Color

Embden (white), Toulouse (gray), Chinese (white with knob), Sebastopol (white curly).

Quail Color

Pharaoh (brown/black), Manchurian Golden (golden), Tuxedo (black with white), Seattle (reddish).

Turkey Color

Bronze (dark), Bourbon Red (reddish brown), Beltsville (white).

Quail Space Requirement

103.23 cm² per bird (>36 days).

Chickens Space Requirement

Layers - 5 sqm/100; 8-12 wks - 9.3 sqm/100.

Ducks Space Requirement

Brooding - 1.2 ft²; Growing - 2-2.5 ft²; Laying - 2.5-3 ft².

Ostrich Space Requirement

Brooding - 0.5-0.7 sqm/chick.

Coryza

Caused by Haemophilus paragallinarum.

Pneumonia in quail

Caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, a fungal infection due to moldy feed or poor housing.

Coccidiosis

Caused by Eimeria spp., especially E. tenella in chickens (cecal coccidiosis).

Infectious Coryza

Haemophilus paragallinarum.

Infectious Laryngotracheitis

Gallid alphaherpesvirus 1.

Avian coronavirus.

Infectious Bronchitis

Aflatoxicosis

Caused by aflatoxin from Aspergillus flavus mold.

2.7 kg of feed per 1 kg of egg mass.

Feed Conversion Efficiency of Egg-Type Chicken

110 g/day.

Feed Consumption - Egg-type Chicken

22 g/day.

Feed Consumption - Quail

180 g/day.

Feed Consumption - Duck

40-42 kg/year (average).

Layer hens feed consumption

Encephalomalacia

Vitamin E/Selenium deficiency: Tremors, incoordination, twisted neck or curled toes ('crazy chick disease').

Rickets

Ca, P, or Vit. D3 deficiency: Rubber bones, beaded ribs, lameness, growth retardation.

Biotin deficiency

Crusty lesions around the eyes/beak/feet, dermatitis, poor feathering.

Pantothenic Acid deficiency

Crusts on mouth and eyes, poor growth, poor feather condition.

Riboflavin deficiency

Curled-toe paralysis, hock inflammation, poor hatchability.

IBD (Infectious Bursal Disease)

Affects the bursa of Fabricius, critical for immunity in young birds. High mortality in chicks.

ILT (Infectious Laryngotracheitis)

A contagious upper respiratory disease, often sudden with blood-stained mucus.

IB (Infectious Bronchitis)

Highly infectious viral disease that affects chickens' respiratory tract and reduces egg quality and quantity.

CRD (Chronic Respiratory Disease)

Often caused by Mycoplasma gallisepticum, worsened by stress or poor ventilation.

Synovitis

Lameness, swollen joints, often due to bacteria or vitamin D deficiency.

Infectious Bursal Disease

Caused by Birnavirus, specific to young chickens.

Muscovy

- 34-36 days. Egg wt: ~60-70g