Chickens - Pictures

Chickens - Classification of Chickens

Breed is a group of chicken species that have common physical and structural features, such as the number of toes, the color of the skin and the shape of the body. There are about 60 breeds of chickens. All these parameters should be identical within one particular breed. Variety stands for plumage color, the shape and the length of combs and wattles. These elements may differ within a certain breed.

Strains (variety groups) are developed on a private commercial basis and they bear comprehensive information about the group's genetic background. And, they can tell a lot about the quality of the stock for generations to come. Chickens are also classified according to the sex and age. Males under one year are termed cockerels. Roosters and cocks are over 1 year old. Pullet is a young female, and hen is a female more than one year of age.

Chickens - Combs

The Single comb is a strong, smooth, fleshy formation with deep and wide serrations. The tips of the scallops are arranged in a bow-like fashion, being low at the anterior and the posterior positions. The comb of a cock is much bigger than that of a female and is always erect.

The Rose is a strong comb, which features a sharp spike-like element. The spike may be held in different positions according to the breed. The top is curved upwards and is speckled with tiny prominent growths.

The pea is a low comb with three wavy or serrated ridges, the middle one being higher than the two other ones. The Cushion comb is relatively small. It lies flat on the skull and it has no scalloped pattern. The Silkie comb is wide and lumpy and corrugated on top. The Strawberry comb bears resemblance to a strawberry, which hangs down the forehead and close to the beak. The V-shaped comb of chickens is very much like a pair of horns diverging from the base.

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