Crossing Native and Modern Chicken Breeds for Sustainable Poultry Farming

According to the ÖkoGen project, crossing old indigenous chicken breeds with modern hybrids improves laying performance and animal welfare indicators. Researchers from the University of Bonn and Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences found these combinations benefit both organic and conventional farming while supporting biological diversity.

Why cross old and modern chicken breeds?

The project sought to address rising demand for poultry products alongside stricter requirements for animal-friendly and sustainable farming. Researchers combined old, indigenous breeds—some of which are endangered—with parent animals from commercial poultry breeding.

Specifically, the study utilized the Ramelsloher and Bielefelder Kennhuhn breeds. According to the report, crossbreeds with high-performance parents showed improved laying performance without negatively affecting the birds’ calcium balance.

Did You Know? The ÖkoGen study specifically tested the Ramelsloher and Bielefelder Kennhuhn, integrating these traditional breeds with modern commercial lines to evaluate robustness and productivity.

What are the health and welfare trade-offs?

Behavior tests and animal welfare indicators showed high levels of welfare across all groups, though crossbred animals performed better than purebreds. However, the research noted a slightly higher risk of breastbone fractures in these crossbreeds.

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The report states that factors such as feeding, the start of the laying period, and housing conditions influence these fractures. In contrast, the old indigenous breeds demonstrated superior immune competence, particularly regarding their reaction to the Newcastle disease vaccination.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the findings highlight a critical biological trade-off: while modern genetics drive productivity, the ancestral traits of indigenous breeds provide the essential immunological resilience needed for hardier flocks.

How does this affect sustainable poultry farming?

Crossbred chickens showed an ability to effectively utilize regional, energy-reduced feed. The researchers emphasized that feeding must be adapted to the specific genetics and the method of housing to be effective.

The three-year ÖkoGen project was funded by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMLEH) via the Organic Farming Federal Program (BÖL) and the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE). Partner institutions included the Universities of Göttingen and Kassel, the Institute for Livestock Genetics in Mariensee, and the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute’s Institute of Immunology.

Based on these results, the integration of endangered breeds into commercial lines could potentially maintain biological diversity while meeting economic production goals. Future breeding programs may likely focus on balancing the high yield of hybrids with the parasite tolerance and immunity of indigenous breeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which specific breeds were used in the ÖkoGen project?
The study utilized old, indigenous breeds including the Ramelsloher and Bielefelder Kennhuhn.

Did the crossbreeding affect the birds’ health?
Crossbreeds showed better results in behavior tests and animal welfare indicators, though they faced a slightly higher risk of breastbone fractures compared to purebreds.

Who funded the ÖkoGen research?
The project was funded by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMLEH) through the Organic Farming Federal Program (BÖL) in the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE).

Do you believe the preservation of endangered animal breeds should be a priority in commercial food production?