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

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References

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  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. ^ a b "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.