The interaction between a bird and its environment. This encompasses the well-being of the bird, their physical, physiological, and emotional health.

A holistic approach to breeding that advances health, welfare, sustainability and productivity traits together in a positive and balanced way.

Management practices and strict hygiene protocols designed to protect flock health and help prevent potential disease and infection.

A group of male and female chickens carefully raised to produce fertile eggs that hatch into healthy chicks.

A scientific and systematic approach to selecting chickens with desired traits, such as growth, health, efficiency, and behavior, to improve future generations.

A young female chicken (under 20 weeks of age) being raised to become part of a breeding flock.

Chickens that hatch from PS eggs. This is the largest group of chickens, grown for meat production

Physical modifications to the bird’s environment to promote natural behaviors

An egg that has been successfully fertilized and can develop into a chick. 

Routine observation and management of chickens’ health, behavior, and environment to support good flock health and help prevent illness and stress.

Evaluating chickens in the pedigree population using performance data and other measurements to identify individuals with the most desirable traits—such as good health, welfare and productivity—and selecting them so their offspring are healthier and more efficient.

A flock of chickens hatched from the GGP breeding flock to produce eggs that hatch into Parent Stock (PS) chickens.

A flock of chickens bred from pedigree offspring. These birds produce the eggs that hatch into Grandparent (GP) chickens.

The percentage of eggs that successfully hatch into healthy chicks.

Metrics describing fertility, hatchability, and chick quality in the breeder flock.

Careful, gentle, and purposeful handling of chickens to support bird welfare, comfort, and safe daily care and management.

A young male chicken raised with care specifically for reproduction in a breeding flock.

A mature female chicken in a breeding flock, carefully managed to produce fertile eggs for offspring.

A mature male chicken in the breeder flock, used to fertilize eggs to produce healthy offspring.

Wood shavings or other material used on the floor of a house or barn where chickens are raised.

Activities such as dust-bathing, foraging, perching, and interaction between birds that indicate healthy chickens and are indicators of good welfare.

Chickens hatched from GP chickens to produce fertile eggs for commercial broiler flocks.

Animals bred only within the same breed or genetic line, without crossing with other breeds or lines.

At the top of the breeding pyramid are pedigree chickens (pure breed). This small, carefully managed group of birds is the highest genetic level where improvements are made and passed down through the generations to the broiler. They are used to produce the next generation of breeders called Great-Grandparent (GGP) chickens.

Overall state of a chicken’s health and comfort. 

Skilled care and management of poultry by trained personnel to maintain good health, animal welfare, and production efficiency.