Characterization of the Utrerana Chicken Breed Farms in Spain
Author Information
Author(s): Plata-Casado Antonio, García-Romero Carmelo, González-Redondo Pedro
Primary Institution: Universidad de Sevilla
Hypothesis
What is the current situation and structure of Utrerana chicken farms in Spain?
Conclusion
The Utrerana chicken breed is maintained by smallholders in Andalusia, primarily for self-supply and aesthetic purposes, with low productivity and limited marketing.
Supporting Evidence
- The Utrerana chicken breed is endangered and primarily raised by amateur farmers.
- Most farms are small, with an average of 53.5 hens per farm.
- Egg production is low, averaging 139 eggs per hen per year.
- Only 40% of the farms are legally registered.
- Marketing is mostly local, with limited sales of eggs and meat.
Takeaway
Farmers in Spain are keeping a special type of chicken called Utrerana mostly for fun and to have eggs for themselves, but they don't sell many eggs or chickens.
Methodology
A survey was administered to 25 poultry farms in Andalusia from 2021 to 2023 to gather data on farm structure, health status, feeding management, and marketing.
Limitations
The study only included farms in Andalusia and may not represent the entire population of Utrerana chicken farms in Spain.
Participant Demographics
Farmers were primarily amateur poultry keepers focused on self-supply and aesthetic values.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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