Fowl refer to birds that are domesticated for food, eggs, and feathers. There are many different types of fowl that have been bred over thousands of years for various purposes. Some of the most common types of fowl include chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, pigeons, quail, and guinea fowl.
Chickens
Chickens are by far the most common type of poultry in the world. There are hundreds of chicken breeds that have been developed for egg and meat production. Some popular breeds include:
- Rhode Island Red – a dual purpose chicken good for both eggs and meat.
- Leghorn – a prolific egg laying chicken.
- Cornish Cross – a fast growing meat chicken.
- Silkie – a breed known for fluffy plumage.
- Brahma – a large breed good for meat production.
Chickens are omnivores and will eat grains, vegetables, fruits, insects, and small animals. They originated in Southeast Asia and were first domesticated around 8,000 years ago. Chickens are very social birds that establish a “pecking order” within their flocks.
Turkeys
Turkeys are large domesticated fowl that are a popular main dish, especially for special occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas. The most common commercial breed is the Broad Breasted White, which has been selectively bred for large breast muscle mass. Other popular turkey breeds include:
- Bourbon Red
- Standard Bronze
- Narragansett
- Royal Palm
Turkeys are omnivorous and will forage on grains, grasses, seeds, berries, and insects. They were first domesticated by indigenous people in Mexico over 2,000 years ago. Turkeys are very social and usually live in flocks.
Ducks
Domesticated ducks are waterfowl that are kept for their meat, eggs, and down feathers. The most common duck breed is the Pekin duck, which is the white duck you often see on farms. Other popular breeds are:
- Muscovy – a large duck breed with tasty meat
- Aylesbury – a dual purpose breed for meat and eggs
- Cayuga – an black colored duck
- Welsh Harlequin – a dual purpose breed
Ducks are omnivores and eat a varied diet of grains, plants, seeds, insects, fish, and amphibians. They originate from the wild Mallard duck and were domesticated over 4,000 years ago. Ducks are very aquatic and require access to water in order to stay healthy.
Geese
Geese are large waterfowl known for their loyalty and alertness. They are kept primarily for their meat but also produce eggs and down feathers. The two most common breeds are:
- Emden – Large white geese known for meat production
- Chinese – Smaller geese popular for weed control
Other breeds include Pilgrim, Shetland, and Sebastopol. Geese are herbivores and graze mainly on grasses, sedges, roots, and berries. They were first domesticated over 4,000 years ago in Egypt. Goose behavior is often very territorial and they make loud honking noises when alarmed.
Pigeons
Though often considered nuisance birds in cities, pigeons have a long history of domestication dating back over 5,000 years to ancient Mesopotamia. The two main types of domesticated pigeons are:
- Meat/Squab – Large breeds like King pigeons raised for meat.
- Fancy – Ornamental breeds bred for distinctive plumage.
Popular fancy breeds include Fantails, Pouters, and Frills. Pigeons are omnivores and adaptable feeders, eating seeds, grains, fruits, and some insects. They are very social and nest in close contact with humans.
Quail
Quail are small gamebirds that are gaining popularity as an urban backyard livestock. The main domesticated quail breeds are:
- Coturnix Quail – Smaller quail raised for eggs and meat.
- Bobwhite Quail – Larger quail prized as gamebirds.
- Button Quail – Tiny ornamental quail.
Other breeds include Tuxedo, Manchurian Golden, and Tennessee Red. Quail are omnivores and eat seeds, fruits, greens, and insects. They originated in Europe and Asia and were domesticated for song competitions and meat.
Guinea Fowl
Guinea fowl are medium sized gamebirds native to Africa. The main domesticated breed is the Helmeted guinea fowl. They are raised for their lean meat, insect control, and as watch animals. Guinea fowl are omnivores and eat seeds, grains, fruits, vegetables, and insects. They thrive in free range settings and are very social, forming communal flocks.
Conclusion
There are a wide variety of fowl that have been domesticated over thousands of years for food, feathers, pest control, and ornamental purposes. While chickens are the most common and widely used, other fowl like turkeys, ducks, geese, pigeons, quail, and guinea fowl all have important roles on small farms and sustainable homesteads.
Type of Fowl | Primary Use | Diet |
---|---|---|
Chicken | Eggs, Meat | Omnivore |
Turkey | Meat | Omnivore |
Duck | Eggs, Meat | Omnivore |
Goose | Meat, Feathers | Herbivore |
Pigeon | Meat, Ornamental | Omnivore |
Quail | Eggs, Meat | Omnivore |
Guinea Fowl | Meat, Insect Control | Omnivore |
As you can see from the table above, the different types of domesticated fowl each have particular uses based on their size, egg laying ability, temperament, and dietary needs. When selecting fowl, it is important to consider your purpose, climate, and facilities. With proper care, many types of fowl can be successfully raised in backyard and small farm settings.
Chickens
Here is some additional information on chickens:
- The average lifespan of a chicken is 5-10 years.
- A hen begins laying eggs at around 18-20 weeks old.
- The largest chicken breeds can weigh up to 15 pounds.
- The smallest bantam breeds can weigh less than 2 pounds.
- Chickens form social hierarchies known as a pecking order.
- The average chicken may lay 250-300 eggs per year.
- Chicken feathers are used in pillows, down comforters, and clothing.
Chickens are very easy to keep and handle well in backyard environments. They are a great starter livestock for children to learn about animal husbandry. Hens start laying eggs at a young age and can provide a steady supply of protein for a family. Chickens have become hugely popular as more people seek local and sustainable food sources.
Turkeys
Here are some additional turkey facts:
- The average lifespan of a domestic turkey is 3-4 years.
- A turkey egg takes 28 days to hatch.
- Mature tom turkeys (males) can weigh over 40 pounds.
- Turkeys have approximately 3,500 feathers at maturity.
- Turkey droppings make excellent fertilizer due to their high nitrogen content.
- Turkeys have excellent vision and daytime eyesight.
- The snood on a turkey’s forehead changes colors when it is excited or angry.
Turkeys are very hardy birds that are well-suited to free range environments. Their meat is leaner and higher in protein than chicken. Turkeys are very social and will form large flocks when allowed to range freely. They provide pest control by consuming insects and ticks.
Ducks
Fun facts about ducks include:
- Ducks have waterproof feathers thanks to an oil gland near their tail.
- Ducks are sometimes kept as weed control in rice paddies and vineyards.
- A single duck can lay 200-300 eggs per year.
- Ducks eat slugs, snails, and other garden pests.
- The average lifespan of a duck is 10-15 years.
- Ducks are social animals and prefer to live in groups.
- Duck eggs are often larger than chicken eggs.
Ducks are a great addition to a small farm looking to increase egg production. They lay just as frequently as chickens but their eggs are often larger. Ducks are hardy, low-maintenance, and well-suited to wet environments. They can provide entertainment and natural pest control while thriving on a diet of grasses, seeds, and insects.
Geese
Here are some interesting facts about geese:
- Geese mate for life with one partner.
- Goslings hatch after 30 days of incubation.
- Domestic geese live approximately 20-30 years.
- Geese feathers and down are used commercially in bedding and clothing.
- Geese make loud honking noises to communicate within the flock.
- Geese are very territorial and protective, making good ‘guard dogs’.
- Goose droppings are high in nitrogen like turkeys.
Geese are not as prolific of egg layers as chickens and ducks. But they provide high quality feathers and down for bedding and garments. Geese are grazing animals and their ability to consume weeds makes them ideal for weed abatement in farm fields. Their territorial nature also makes them good alarm animals.
Pigeons
Interesting pigeon facts:
- Pigeons are incredibly intelligent and can be trained to complete specialized tasks.
- Racing pigeons have been recorded flying over 700 miles in a single day.
- Pigeon droppings are high in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
- Pigeons can see ultraviolet light.
- Messenger pigeons were vital for military communication before modern times.
- There are over 350 breeds of domestic pigeons.
- The common city pigeon is the descendants of old domesticated pigeon breeds.
Pigeons thrive living in close proximity to humans, whether in urban areas or rural farms. They produce large nutrient-rich droppings which provide excellent fertilizer. Pigeons are adept at finding their own food but can also thrive on grain. Their ability to home has been used throughout history to carry messages across long distances.
Quail
Fun quail facts:
- Quail are one of the smallest domesticated fowl, weighing under 8 ounces.
- Quail mature rapidly, starting to lay eggs at 6-8 weeks old.
- Quail eggs are prized as gourmet food and considered a delicacy.
- The average quail lays 150-300 tiny eggs per year.
- Quail thrive in small cages and are a good urban livestock.
- There are many ornamental varieties of quail.
- Quail are popular gamebirds for hunting.
Quail are an efficient source of meat and eggs even in small spaces. They reach maturity quickly and are prolific layers. Quail are quiet, docile, and easy to tame. Their small size and inexpensive nutrition needs make them a smart backyard livestock choice in urban areas.
Guinea Fowl
Interesting facts about guinea fowl include:
- Guinea fowl have wild tendencies and are harder to tame than chickens.
- They are known for eating ticks and other pest insects.
- Guinea fowl are noisy birds, yelping and squawking frequently.
- Their meat is lean and high in protein but low in fat and cholesterol.
- Guinea eggs are small, about 1/3 the size of a chicken egg.
- Guinea fowl are social but tend to stray farther than chickens when free ranging.
- They are low maintenance and avoid human handling.
For homesteaders who want an exotic livestock that largely cares for itself, guinea fowl are a great option. They control pests, provide fertilizer, and supply lean meat and eggs. Their wild wariness makes them alert watch animals. Guinea fowl are a low-cost, low-maintenance livestock for small acreages.