The Surprising Influence of the Mother in Crossbreeding Native Chickens and Broilers

 Crossbreeding chickens is a common practice among farmers aiming to combine the desirable traits of different breeds. One popular cross involves mating native chickens (locally known in Indonesia as ayam kampung) with commercial broilers. The goal is usually to create a hybrid that grows faster than native chickens, but is hardier and tastier than broilers. However, one fascinating aspect that many breeders observe is that the physical traits of the offspring often resemble the mother more than the father.

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For example, when a broiler rooster is crossed with a native (kampung) hen, the resulting chicks tend to have the slimmer body, harder feathers, and more active temperament of their native mother. These birds may still grow faster than pure ayam kampung, but their appearance and behavior are often much closer to the native side. Farmers frequently describe these hybrids as looking like improved kampung chickens rather than miniature broilers.

On the other hand, if the mother is a broiler and the father is a native rooster, the chicks are typically bulkier, with softer feathers and a more docile personality—traits associated with commercial broilers. They may lack the agility and disease resistance of kampung chickens, but their fast growth and meatier build are obvious.

So, why does the mother’s traits seem to dominate?

While both parents contribute equally to the genetic makeup of the chick, the mother provides more than just half the DNA. She also contributes the egg environment, mitochondrial DNA (which affects energy production and metabolism), and maternal effects—non-genetic influences that impact early development, growth rate, and physical appearance.

This maternal influence explains why many breeders choose the mother breed based on the desired outcome. If they want hardy chickens with native looks, they use native hens. If they want larger, fast-growing birds, they may prefer broiler hens.

In conclusion, when crossbreeding chickens, the mother’s characteristics often shape the look and nature of the offspring. Understanding this influence can help farmers make smarter breeding choices that better match their production goals—whether that’s stronger immunity, faster growth, or a balance of both.

The Aggresive Hen due to limited space

 

A Reflection on a Mistake: My Aggressive Hen

 

I once raised a hen that showed unexpected aggression. The hen black bettle color and also tall. At first, I didn’t realize the seriousness of her behavior. But soon, she began kicking the roosters — one of them even suffered an eye injury. I was shocked. Later, she also hurt her own chick. That was when I realized something was deeply wrong.

 

Looking back, I now understand that the problem started with my own mistake. I had placed the hen in a narrow cage, which likely made her feel stressed or territorial. That tight space may have triggered her aggression. I did not the size exatcly for the hen but the other chicken was comfort use the pen. I regret not noticing the warning signs earlier. I should have trimmed her nails or separated her sooner to avoid injuries.

 

I also suspect that the hen came from a village where chickens are allowed to roam freely. In those settings, hens may be less aggressive because they have more space and freedom. In contrast, keeping her confined likely increased her stress and caused this behavior.

 

For a moment, I considered “de-toeing” — removing the claws — but I soon realized it would be cruel. Besides, I didn’t have the proper tools, nor the antiseptic to avoid infection or tetanus. The practice of “de-toeing” is common in commercial chciken farm.

 

In the end, I made the difficult decision to replace the hen with another. Eventually, I put the aggressive hen down, not out of anger, but out of responsibility. It was not a pleasant experience, but I learned something important: as an animal owner, we must provide a proper environment and always observe early signs of stress or danger.

This experience taught me to be more careful, more thoughtful, and more responsible in caring for animals. Mistakes can hurt — not just ourselves, but also the creatures under our care.

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