Potchefstroom Koekoek

The Potchefstroom Koekoek is a South African breed of chicken[1] developed in the 1960s at the Potchefstroom Agricultural College in the city of Potchefstroom by Chris Marais. It was developed by cross breeding a number of other breeds like Black Australorp,[2] White Leghorn,[2] and Barred Plymouth Rock to obtain specific characteristics of each, making the resulting breed more suitable to Southern African conditions.

Potchefstroom Koekoek
Conservation statusVulnerable
Country of originSouth Africa
Traits
Weight
  • Male:
    4.2 kg
  • Female:
    3.6 kg
Skin colorYellow
Egg colorBrown
Comb typeRed
Classification

The breed was intended as a dual purpose, free ranging chicken with laying capabilities as well as a large structure for meat production. Pure Koekoeks have a black-and-white barred appearance, with the chicks sexable soon after hatching due to distinct sex markings. Potchefstroom Koekoeks maintain good egg production even with poor quality or insufficient feeding.[3]

See also

References
  1. "SOUTH AFRICAN COUNTRY REPORT ON FARM ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES" (PDF). Department of Agriculture (South Africa). July 2006. p. 19. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  2. "Potchefstroom Koekoek". Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (South Africa). Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  3. "The indigenous poultry breeds of SA". Agricultural Research Council (South Africa). Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
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