What color feathers are most typical for commercial broilers?

The most typical color of feathers for commercial broilers is white. This is primarily due to breeding practices aimed at standardizing the appearance and promoting specific production traits. White-feathered broilers are preferred for commercial meat production because they have a more appealing presentation when plucked, leading to a visually favorable product for consumers.

In addition to aesthetics, the white feathers are also beneficial for meat quality, as there is no pigmentation that could affect the appearance of the skin after processing. The industry has largely selected for this trait, which has resulted in the dominance of white-feathered birds in commercial broiler operations.

Other feather colors, like brown, black, and speckled, do occur in different chicken breeds, but they are not typically associated with the mass production of broilers due to consumer preferences and production efficiencies. This focus on white feathering has created a clear standard in the commercial broiler market.