A Survey Study on the Distribution of Saudi Baladi Chickens and Their Characteristics

Two surveys were conducted to determine the distribution and Characteristics of the local (baladi) chickens of Saudi Arabia. The results of the two surveys provided evidence that: 1. Local chickens exhibit large variations in body shape, feather color, comb type and shank color. They are small in size. 2. Most of the large baladi project (>1000 layers) were found in Makkah, Jedda and Madina. Medium size farms (250 - 600 hens) were found in Qasim, Madina, Makkah, Durma and Qatif. Smaller size farms (< 250 hens) were found in Makkah, Qasim and Hofuf. 3. Twenty three % of the large baladi projects were Poultry producers raising chicks as the main source of their income. 4. Eighty % of the small projects raise the baladi chickens along with other animals. 5. Average flock size of the large farms was 3479 birds. 6. Average marketing age of the birds were 14.6 weeks. 7. Baladi hens lay their 1st egg at 22.76 week of age and continue laying for 78.9 weeks producing 170 eggs. 8. Nine % of the large projects` owners found that New Castle disease (ND) was the most frequent occurring disease. All chickens owners vaccinate their birds against ND while 33 % vaccinate against Fowl pox. 9. About 80 % of small farms owners are making use of the broodiness phenomena to hatch eggs while only 8 % use small incubators for that purpose.