Faisalabad’s University of Agriculture has achieved a major milestone by developing a new breed of chicken named Uni-Gold, capable of laying more than 200 eggs annually. This locally developed breed is also designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, making it ideal for rural poultry farming in Pakistan.
Developed by scientists at the university’s Department of Animal Husbandry, Uni-Gold is being hailed as a breakthrough after nearly 65 years. Experts say it will offer a major boost to the country’s rural economy and help improve food security.
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The new breed is particularly significant as it offers a much higher egg yield than traditional desi chickens, which typically lay between 70 and 80 eggs per year.
In addition to producing more eggs, Uni-Gold also requires less feed and can handle heat stress more effectively. According to the researchers, these traits make it more adaptable to Pakistan’s environmental challenges, especially in regions affected by climate change.
“One of the key features of this breed is its resilience in high temperatures and lower dependency on feed, which are essential for poultry farming in rural areas,” said one of the lead scientists involved in the project.
Unlike foreign breeds that often require costly care and imported feed, Uni-Gold has been developed with local needs in mind. It not only meets the egg demand but also provides sufficient meat, making it a dual-purpose bird.
Plans are now underway to distribute Uni-Gold chickens to farmers across Pakistan. The goal is to enhance poultry production in villages, improve household incomes, and encourage small-scale farming through easy access to this new breed.
