Poultry Breeding Companies in Pakistan

Functions of Poultry Breeding Companies  in Pakistan

Poultry breeding companies in Pakistan specialize in producing and supplying day old chicks (DOCs) to poultry farms across the country. These companies breed chickens that are specifically selected for high productivity, disease resistance, and adaptability to local conditions. The primary aim of these companies is to enhance poultry performance, whether for meat production (broilers) or egg production (layers).

Understanding Levels in Poultry Breeding Companies 

Elite Stock or Pedigree Stock

Pedigree stock, also known as elite or nucleus stock, represents the top tier of the poultry breeding pyramid. It maintains pure lines of birds at global breeding companies such as Cobb, Aviagen, and Hy-Line. This level of pedigree stock is the genetic foundation for all commercial broiler and layer birds. These birds in Pedigree Stock are kept under ultra-secure, climate-controlled conditions, where each bird’s performance is individually tracked for traits like growth rate, feed efficiency, fertility, disease resistance, and egg production. Genetic selection at this level of Pedigree Stock uses advanced tools such as genomic analysis and performance testing, ensuring that only the best birds pass their genes to the next level i.e. Great Grandparent Stock.

Great Grandparent Stock (GGPS)

The next level in the pyramid of poultry breeding is Great Grandparent Stock which is derived directly from the elite pedigree stock. It serves as the link between high-level genetic improvement and commercial poultry production. Great Grandparent Stock birds are raised under strict biosecurity and health protocols in specialized farms, and their main role is to produce grandparent stock (GPS), which then leads to parent stock and ultimately, commercial chicks. The importance of Great Grandparent Stock lies in preserving and transmitting genetically superior traits developed at the pedigree level, ensuring uniformity, performance, and disease resistance in broiler and layer lines globally.

Grandparent Stock (GPS)

Grandparent stock (GPS) is the next generation after Great Grandparent Stock. It is the foundation for producing the parent stock used by poultry breeders. Grandparent stock typically comes from specialized breeding farms that focus on long-term genetic improvement and selection.

The role of GP companies, which breed and maintain grandparent stock, is crucial in the poultry breeding cycle. GP companies work to continually improve genetic traits, such as feed conversion ratios, growth rates, disease resistance, and egg-laying capabilities, that can be passed down. The main goal of GP companies is to produce high-quality breeding stock  that will yield superior day-old chicks for commercial poultry farms.

Parent Stock (PS)

After grandparent stock is parent stock. It refers to the adult poultry stock that is used to produce hatching eggs for the next generation of day-old chicks. This stock consists of both male and female birds, specifically chosen for their desirable genetic traits. These birds are carefully selected and managed to ensure they produce high-quality hatching eggs that will hatch into strong, healthy chicks. This breeding stock is typically raised on specialized farms and kept under controlled conditions to ensure their health and productivity.

PS plays a pivotal role in determining the genetic makeup of the next generation of day-old chicks. In poultry breeding, the quality of parent stock directly impacts the performance of broilers or layers. Healthy, well-managed breeding stock leads to better hatch rates and higher-quality chicks, which is essential for the profitability and sustainability of the poultry farming operation.

Key Roles of Poultry Breeding Companies

Breeding Stock Production:

Poultry breeding companies maintain breeding farms to produce high-quality breeding stock which is the foundation for day-old chick production.

Day-Old Chick Production:

After selecting the right parent stock, these companies hatch eggs to produce day old chicks (DOC). These chicks are then supplied to farms where they grow into broilers or layers.

Supply Chain and Distribution:

Poultry breeding companies manage the distribution of day old chicks to poultry farms across the country. They ensure that the chicks are delivered in optimal conditions, providing support for farmers in raising healthy birds.

Genetic Improvement and Research:

These companies invest in research and development (R&D) to improve the genetics of their poultry stock. Genetic enhancement plays a vital role in improving growth rates, disease resistance, and overall productivity.

Health and Disease Management:

Poultry breeding companies ensure that their stock is free from major poultry diseases, using controlled environments and biosecurity measures to reduce disease risks.

Consultancy and Technical Support:

Many poultry breeding companies provide technical support to farmers, offering advice on raising poultry, managing disease outbreaks, and optimizing feed usage.

Types of Day Old Chicks (DOCs)

The types of day old chicks depend largely on the intended purpose: broiler production (meat production) or layer production (egg production). Each category of chicks is bred for specific characteristics that cater to the desired end product.

Broiler Day Old Chicks (DOCs)

These chicks are raised for meat production. Broiler chicks are specifically bred for fast growth, efficient feed conversion, and high meat yield. They are generally ready for slaughter within 6 to 8 weeks, depending on the breed and farming conditions. Ross 308, Cobb 500, and Arbor Acres are some of the common broiler breeds.

Layer Day Old Chicks (DOCs)

These chicks are raised for egg production. Layer chicks are bred for high egg-laying capacity, with traits like early maturity and long-term productivity. These birds are usually kept for 18 months to 2 years, after which their egg-laying productivity declines. Hy-Line, Dekalb, and Bovans are commonly used for commercial egg production.

Dual-Purpose Day-Old Chicks (DOCs)

These chicks are bred for both meat and egg production. Dual-purpose chicks are designed to provide both eggs and meat, though they may not perform as well as specialized broiler or layer breeds in either category. These birds tend to be more hardy and can be used in smaller or backyard poultry farming operations.

How Poultry Breeding Companies Operate

Poultry breeding companies in Pakistan typically follow a multi-tiered process to produce high-quality day-old chicks. The general process is as follows:

1. Selection of Breeding Stock: Poultry breeders carefully select male and female birds with desirable traits (growth, feed conversion, etc.). The selected birds are then raised in a controlled environment.
2. Production of Hatching Eggs: Parent stock lays hatching eggs, which are collected and incubated to produce day-old chicks.
3. Hatching and Distribution: Eggs are incubated, and once the chicks hatch, they are distributed to poultry farms, where they are raised to become either broilers or layers.
4. Ongoing Genetic Improvement: Poultry breeding companies in Pakistan continually improve their stock by incorporating new genetic lines, utilizing advanced breeding technologies, and conducting research to improve the overall productivity of poultry.

Role of GP Companies in Poultry Breeding

GP companies (Grandparent Stock companies) are responsible for the highest level of genetic improvement in poultry breeding. These companies maintain highly specialized farms where they breed and raise grandparent stock. The role of GP companies is critical as they ensure that parent stock (PS) producers have access to genetically superior birds.

1. Genetic Enhancement: GP companies focus on improving poultry genetics by selecting birds that have traits such as rapid growth rates, disease resistance, and high productivity. These improved genetics are then passed down to the parent stock.
2. Breeding for Specific Traits: GP companies selectively breed chickens for desirable traits, ensuring that each generation of parent stock and day-old chicks performs better than the last.
3. Providing High-Quality Parent Stock: GP companies provide high-quality parent stock to poultry breeding companies, which in turn produce day-old chicks for commercial farms.
4. Maintaining Biosecurity: Given their role in the breeding cycle, GP companies maintain strict biosecurity measures to prevent disease outbreaks, ensuring that the genetic quality of the stock is not compromised.