Why are improved poultry breeds developed?

Why are improved poultry breeds developed? Describe the desirable traits for which new varieties are developed.
Answer:
Poultry farming is undertaken to raise domestic fowl for egg production and chicken meat. For this, improved poidtry breeds are developed and farmed to produce layers for eggs and broilers for meat. The cross-breeding programmes between Indian (indigenous like Aseel) and foreign (exotic like Leghorn) breeds for variety improvement are focused on developing new varieties for the following desirable traits:

  • The number and quality of chicks.
  • Dwarf broiler parent for commercial chick production.
  • Tolerance to high temperature.
  • Low maintenance requirements.
  • Reduction in the size of the egg-laying bird possessing the ability to utilise more fibrous and economical diet that are formulated using agricultural by-products.