What is poultry?

Poultry refers to domesticated birds that are raised by humans primarily for the production of meat, eggs, or feathers. Here are some key points that define poultry:

Types of Poultry

• The term encompasses a wide range of domesticated bird species, including chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, quail, pheasants, pigeons, and even ostriches245.

Purpose

• Poultry are raised for their utility in providing food (meat and eggs), as well as for their feathers and, in some cases, for entertainment or other purposes4.

Domestication

• These birds are typically members of the superorder Galloanserae, which includes Galliformes (such as chickens, turkeys, and quails) and Anseriformes (such as ducks and geese). The domestication of chickens, for example, is believed to have occurred around 8,000 years ago in Southeast Asia1.

Production Systems

• Poultry can be raised in various production systems, ranging from small, extensive farms to large, intensive commercial enterprises. Most commercial poultry today are raised in industrialized, factory-like production units13.

Global Significance

• Poultry is a significant part of global meat production, with chickens accounting for the majority of poultry meat and egg production worldwide. In 2020, chickens made up about 94% of the world’s poultry population, followed by ducks and turkeys2.

Distinction from Game

• Poultry is distinct from game birds, which are wild birds hunted for food or sport. Poultry refers specifically to domesticated birds raised for their products15.

In summary, poultry includes a diverse group of domesticated birds raised for various economic and culinary purposes, with chickens being the most prevalent species globally.