Broiler Chicken

Gallus gallus domesticus

Commercial fast-growing meat strains developed by international breeding companies Cobb-Vantress and Aviagen; Cobb 500 and Ross 308 are the two dominant strains raised in Kenya's commercial and peri-urban poultry sector, selected purely for growth rate and feed efficiency.

Species

Avian

Family

Phasianidae

Climate requirements

Requires enclosed, well-ventilated housing with controlled brooding temperature (32-35C in week one, stepped down weekly); far less climate-hardy than indigenous birds and vulnerable to heat stress, cold drafts and disease, so is best suited to managed deep-litter housing in Kenya's highland and peri-urban poultry belts.