Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
reported using just one breed. On the other end of the spectrum, large commercial organic
growers tend to rely on one breed of hybrid layer that provides consistent and economical pro-
duction. Producers cannot feed certified organic feed to large flocks of poorly producing birds
and remain economically viable, no matter what kind of system they are using.
Table 6. Laying Hen Breeds
Average
price per
100 chicks
Availability (see ap-
pendix 3)
Breed
Characteristics
Reich, Clearview, Hoff-
man, Mt. Healthy, Privett,
Welp's, Marti, Moyer's
White Leghorn
(white eggs)
A small, nervous, refined bird requiring a high-quality diet and
controlled environment.
$0.97-$1.50
each pullet
Gold Sex-Link
Golden Comet,
Production Red
Sex Link, Hubbard
ISA Brown
Rhode Island Red/White Rock cross. Medium-sized brown
bird that forages well and produces in cold weather. Tends to
cannibalism if stressed. Most efficient brown egg layer with
rates of 90%.
Reich, Clearview, Hoff-
man, Mt. Healthy, Privett,
Welp's, Marti, Moyer's
$0..97-$1.50
each pullet
Reich, Clearview, Hoff-
man, Mt. Healthy, Privett,
Welp's, Marti, Moyer's,
Townline
Black Sex-Link
Black Star
A Rhode Island Red/ Barred Rock cross. A medium-large
black bird capable of commercial production.
$0.97-$1.50
each pullet
Reich, Clearview, Hoff-
man, Mt. Healthy, Privett,
Welp's, Marti, Townline
A medium-sized docile native purebred with good foraging
behavior. Capable of 70% rate of lay.
$0.97-$1.52
each pullet
Rhode Island Red
Reich, Clearview, Hoff-
man, Mt. Healthy, Privett,
Welp's, Marti, Townline
Barred Plymouth
Rock
A larger-sized native dual-purpose breed with dark feathers.
Good foragers with a 60% rate of lay. Cold weather layer.
$0.97-$1.50
each pullet
Ridgeway, Mt. Healthy,
Privett, Welp's, Marti,
Townline
A large, fast-maturing dual-purpose bird with decent produc-
tion.
$1.15-$1.46
each pullet
White Rock
Hybrid layer cross developed from the RI Red as more effi-
cient layer. Since they have brittle feathers and body size is
small relative to the size of eggs they are susceptible to can-
nibalism.
Privett, Mt. Healthy, Marti
$1.14-$1.46
each pullet
Production Red
A heavy red bird with vigor and good livability. A decent pro-
ducer that lays well in cold weather.
$1.17 each
pullet
Cherry Eggers
Marti
A smaller brown hybrid layer, good feed efficiency. Non-canni-
balistic.
$1.17 each
pullet
Sil-Go-Links
Marti
A large dual-purpose hybrid with fairly good feed efficiency
and excellent production. Matures early and feathers well.
$1.17 each
pullet
Silver Links
Marti
Turkey genetics in this country are basically twofold: large white heavy-breasted quick grow-
ing commercial birds and approximately ten heritage breeds with varying size, color, and grow-
out time. Though most organic producers currently use the standard broad-breasted white tur-
key owing to its availability and efficient grow out, there has recently been much interest and
