Poultry Judging Practice Test

The white feathered broiler currently used in the commercial chicken industry is a cross between which two breeds?

1. Cornish and White Plymouth Rock

2. Brahma and Rhode Island Red

3. Plymouth Rock and Sussex

4. Orpington and Marans

The correct answer is: Cornish and White Plymouth Rock

The white-feathered broiler commonly found in the commercial chicken industry is primarily a result of crossing the Cornish and White Plymouth Rock breeds. This specific cross has been developed to optimize characteristics such as rapid growth rate, excellent feed conversion efficiency, and desirable body conformation for meat production. The Cornish breed contributes qualities like a robust body and muscular build, which are essential for producing meat efficiently. On the other hand, the White Plymouth Rock adds favorable traits such as good laying abilities and better adaptability, making the offspring suitable for commercial production settings. This combination enables the broilers to reach market weight in a relatively short timeframe while maintaining the quality expected by consumers. This understanding of the hybridization process in poultry breeding helps to explain why this particular cross is favored in the industry, illustrating the importance of selecting specific breeds to achieve targeted production goals.