Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Welp's
Privett
Mt. Healthy
Clearview
Moyer's
Townline
White Cornish Super
Giants, Fast Cornish,
Vantress × Arbor Cross,
Hubbard White Moun-
tain
velopment of the respiratory system),* and flip over (sudden death syn-
drome/heart attack, pos-sibly caused by rapid weight gain).**
Reich
Hoffman
Ridgeway
Clearview
Noll's
Barred Silver Cockerels Slightly slower growing dark birds that can be held longer for roasters;
excellent foragers with few health problems.
$0.37-$0.69
each
A lighter colored slower growing bird similar to the Barred Silver; same
growth rate with outstanding leg strength and vigor.
Buff Silver Cockerels
Reich
$0.50 each
Welp's
Privett
Cebe's
Townline
Black Broiler
Cebe Black
Black birds that are active, slow growing, and with few leg problems or
ascites.
$0.75-$1.13
each
Welp's
Privett
Clearview
Cebe's
Red Broiler Red
Cornish, Cebe Red
A red bird that grows slower and smaller than the standard Fast
Cornish.
$0.98-$1.13
each
A white bird that grows slower and smaller than the fast Cornish; they
have fewer growing problems.
Slow Cornish
Privett $0.89 each
*Gail Damerow, The Chicken Health Handbook (North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing, 1994).
**Ibid.
Laying Hens
The range of egg breeds available is extensive, though not specifically geared toward commer-
cial free-range organic systems. Breeds available range from old heritage dual-purpose birds
with relatively low production to modern hybrids bred to produce a maximum number of eggs
in intensive systems. Organic production generally requires a bird somewhere between these
two extremes. Most organic systems want a bird that can produce efficiently under a range of
conditions and utilize forage to its best advantage. While organic producers in Europe have a
vast array of free-range genetics to choose from, producers in the United States are generally
limited to a few brown-egg-laying hybrids that produce efficiently under free-range conditions.
See table 6 for more on laying hens.
In addition to the commercial breeds listed in table 6 there are also myriad standard old-
style breeds that some producers find to be excellent foragers but are perhaps less productive.
In my survey of small organic producers of the Northeast, I found producers to be using a vast
selection of both hybrid and standard breed layers. The top three breeds chosen were Rhode Is-
land Reds, Barred Plymouth Rocks, and Ameraucanas. However, among the producers with
200 or more hens, the top choices also included hybrid layers such as Black Sex Links, Gold
Sex Links, Red Stars, and ISA Browns. Most flocks were mixed breeds and only one producer
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