Measures of Dispersion and Variability: Range, QD, AD and SD
Poultry Lecture 2 (Poultry History)
1. Poultry History
Progenitors of poultry came from few
taxonomic groups and shared features
suitable for domestication, including
behavior. For example, they show
sexual promiscuity and flexible dietary
requirements.
2. Poultry History Cond/
Despite centuries of selection for
conformation and plumage and
decades of selection for eggs and
meat, most behavior of wild
relatives is also shown by modern
poultry.
3. Domestic Fowl
Domestic fowl were domesticated
from red jungle fowl over 8000
years ago, and the basis of modern
breeds existed by Roman times.
4. Modern Hybrid
Modern commercial hybrid
chickens have been selected for
maximum egg or meat output from
minimum food intake. New genetic
techniques will increase the
tendency to produce lines with very
specific characteristics.
5. Turkeys
Turkeys were domesticated in the
Americas over 2000 years ago.
Most commercial birds are now
white feathered, and very heavy.
Fertility problems with natural
mating mean artificial
insemination is commercially
routine.
6. Quails
Japanese quail were first domesticated
about 1000 years ago, but systematic
selection for egg and meat production
began about 100 years ago. Bobwhite
quail are more common in the
Americas, where they are still used as
game birds as well as for meat and
sometimes eggs.
7. Guinea Fowls & Pheasants
Guinea fowl came from West Africa
and pheasants from Central Asia.
Guinea fowl are grown mainly for
meat, while pheasants are still
mostly game birds, but some are
now bred for meat.
8. Ducks
Domestic ducks derived from the mallard.
Most breeds are kept for meat but some are
prolific egg layers. Muscovy ducks are from
Central and South America, and have less fat
than domestic ducks. Domestic geese are
primarily descended from the grey lag in
Asia, and their husbandry was well
developed in Roman times.
9. Pigeons & Ostriches
Domestic pigeons, derived from the
rock dove, are now a minority
interest in most countries. In
contrast, farming of ostriches (and
to a lesser extent rheas and emus)
has increased in recent decades.
