Map of Poultry in Europe

This interactive map shows poultry numbers in Europe's territories. Darker shades of orange, represent a higher number of live animals. For exact number of heads, territory name, and country, hover over the map. For more detail zoom in. For more information, scroll down.

Poultry (1,000 heads)

Poultry in Europe

Poultry heads represented on this map are from 2016. Values from France, Scottland and Ireland are an approximation as the survey area corresponds to older Territorial Units (NUTS).

Absent numbers are represented with the same shade as 0 or light orange. Gray countries are not included in Eurostat data.

The 5 highest number of live pultry are in Bretagne, France, Pays de la Loire in France, Weser-Ems in Germany, Veneto in Italy, and Mazowieckie in Poland.

Poultry

Poultry refers to domesticated birds that are raised for their meat, eggs, or feathers.

The term "poultry" generally includes various species of birds, with the most common ones being chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese.

Poultry is a significant source of animal protein and is widely consumed around the world. Here are some key points about different types of poultry:

Chickens

The dominant poultry species in the EU is chicken (Gallus gallus domestica).

Chickens are the most widely consumed type of poultry. They are raised for both their meat and eggs. Chicken meat is versatile and can be found in various cuts such as breast, thighs, wings, and drumsticks.

In addition to their meat, chickens also provide eggs, which are widely consumed as a protein-rich food. Chicken eggs are the most commonly consumed eggs among poultry.

Turkeys

Turkeys are often consumed during special occasions such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Turkey meat is typically characterized by its rich flavor and tender texture.

Ducks

Ducks are another popular poultry choice. Duck meat has a distinctive flavor and is known for its high fat content, which contributes to its rich taste.

Geese

Geese are less commonly consumed compared to chickens, turkeys, and ducks.

Goose meat is known for its flavor and tenderness, but it is often considered more of a specialty item.

Guinea Fowl

Guinea fowl meat is a dark and quite the delicacy in Europe, usually sold in high-end restaurants due to their rich flavor.

Surprisingly, guinea meat is healthier than chicken with fewer calories and fat.

Guinea foul are also used for laying eggs. The hens typically lay around 12 to 30 eggs in each clutch.

Poultry Production in Europe

France grows the most poultry with 308,000 animals, followed by Spain with 203,000, followed by Poland with 198,000 birds.

The largest poultry growing territories as seen on the map are Bretagne in France with 100K animals, and Pays de la Loire in France with 86K.

Bretagne, also known as Brittany, is a region in western France. that has a significant poultry industry. Pays de la Loire is just south of Brittany.

These regions have a favorable geographical location with access to abundant water resources and a mild climate. These conditions provide suitable environments for poultry farming.

Bretagne and Pays de la Loire also have a long-standing tradition and expertise in poultry farming. These regions have developed specialized knowledge and techniques in breeding, rearing, and processing poultry over many generations.

These regions benefit from their proximity to agricultural areas that produce feed ingredients, such as corn and soybeans. Having local access to high-quality and affordable feed helps support the poultry industry.

The local and national governments in France have provided support and incentives to the poultry industry, promoting its growth and development. This support includes funding for research, infrastructure improvements, and market development.

Other major producers include Weser-Ems in Germany with 72.9K animals, Veneto in Italy with 64K, and Mazowieckie in Poland with 46K birds.

Poultry Consumption

UK and France are the biggest poultry markets in the region. Octofrost.

France is the highest duck consumer in Europe. Global Trade.

France is also the country in Europe that consumes the most turkey.

Chicken Breeds in Europe

There are more than 2,000 different chicken breeds all over the world, about 1347 in Europe. All of them have the common ancestor Archaeopterix from Asia, which did not fly but glided.

Different breeds of chicken are grown for meat or their eggs.

Popular chicken breeds include:

Ancona: This chicken originates from the town of Ancona in Italy. They have a beautiful appearance, with impressive red combs, sleek feathers and a green tail.
Leghorn: This is one of the French chicken breeds that is known for its egg-laying abilities.
Light Sussex: Is a French chicken with a dual-purpose breed, meaning it can be used for both egg production and meat production.
Poule de Bresse: Poule de Bresse is a highly regarded breed and one of the most famous in France. It is known for its exceptional meat quality and is often referred to as the "queen of chickens." Poule de Bresse has a white plumage with blue feet and red comb and wattles.
La Flèche: La Flèche is an ancient French breed with a distinctive V-shaped comb. It has a black plumage and is primarily raised for meat production. La Flèche chickens are known for their flavorful meat and excellent foraging abilities.
Houdan: Houdan chickens have a unique appearance with their mottled black and white plumage and crested head. They are dual-purpose birds, valued for both meat and egg production. Houdans are known for their friendly temperament and their ability to lay white-shelled eggs.
Faverolles: Faverolles are medium-sized chickens with a fluffy appearance and feathered feet. They come in various color varieties, including Salmon, White, and Black. Faverolles are dual-purpose birds known for their gentle nature, good egg production, and fine-textured meat.
Gauloise: Gauloise, also known as Coucou de Rennes or French Cuckoo, is a heritage breed native to France. They have a barred plumage pattern and are raised for both meat and egg production. Gauloise chickens are hardy and adaptable to different climates.
Marans: Marans is a popular French breed known for its dark brown eggs. They come in various color varieties, including Black Copper, Cuckoo, and Wheaten. Marans chickens are valued for their egg-laying abilities, robustness, and flavorful meat.
Bresse-Gauloise: Bresse-Gauloise is a crossbreed between the Poule de Bresse and Gauloise. It combines the meat qualities of Poule de Bresse with the hardiness of Gauloise. Bresse-Gauloise chickens have a variety of plumage colors, including white, black, and blue. The Poultry Site.
Vorwerk: Vorwerk chickens are known for their beautiful black and gold feather pattern. They are dual-purpose birds, valued for both meat and egg production.
Lakenfelder: Lakenfelder chickens have a striking black and white striped feather pattern. They are a hardy breed and are often kept for their ornamental value.
Sulmtaler: Sulmtaler chickens are large, robust birds with a rich mahogany feather color. They are dual-purpose birds known for their good meat quality and brown egg production.
Deutsche Sperber: Deutsche Sperber chickens have an attractive silver and black mottled plumage. They are known for their excellent foraging abilities and are valued for both meat and egg production.
New Hampshire: New Hampshire chickens are originally from the United States but are popular in Germany as well. They are large, sturdy birds with a deep red feather color. New Hampshires are dual-purpose birds known for their meat production and good egg-laying capabilities.
Sussex: Sussex chickens, including the Light Sussex and Speckled Sussex varieties, are popular in Germany for their versatility. They are known for their good egg production, meat quality, and calm temperament.
Rhinelander: Rhinelander chickens have a unique feather pattern called "hundertfleck," which means "hundred spots" in German. They are primarily kept for their ornamental value but can also be used for egg production.

Differences Between American and European Poultry Products

In Europe, the practice of refrigerating eggs varies across countries. Some European countries refrigerate eggs, while others do not.

The decision to refrigerate eggs or not is influenced by various factors, including regulations, cultural practices, and food safety considerations.

Countries that refrigerate eggs typically do so to extend their shelf life and minimize the risk of bacterial growth, particularly salmonella.

Refrigeration helps slow down the growth of microorganisms and helps maintain the quality and safety of the eggs.

Many European countries, like the UK, vaccinate their hens to prevent the transmission of salmonella when the hens lay eggs.

The vaccinations, in conjunction with the protection of the “cuticle,” are thought to protect the European eggs from bacteria, therefore they don't refrigerate their eggs

On the other hand, countries that do not refrigerate eggs often rely on different production and handling practices, such as washing the eggs and storing them at room temperature.

These countries may prioritize other safety measures, such as ensuring proper farm hygiene, vaccination of laying hens, and the use of preventive measures during egg production, to mitigate potential risks.

It's important to note that egg handling and storage practices can vary even within European countries, and regulations may differ as well.