Sasso disrupting the poultry industry in Zimbabwe

What’s with all the fuss about Sasso chickens lately? The Sasso breed, which originated in France and is fast becoming a popular alternative for commercial and small-scale poultry farmers alike, is disrupting the poultry industry in Zimbabwe. Why?

These hybrid birds have characteristics that resemble a blend between commercial breeds and indigenous breeds, exhibiting varying advantages along the spectrum between meat birds and layers. In addition to being hardy and robust, Sassos are faster growing than village chickens, tastier than broilers but with more tender meat than village chickens, dualpurpose in their ability to give both meat and eggs (although not breeders) and are more resistant to disease than commercial birds.Their ability to free-range makes them affordable and easy to raise which proves to be a profitable livelihood venture reaching a market weight of approximately 2kgs in 3 months.

Hamara offers 3 types of Sasso: Sasso C431 the brown broiler- which takes from 7-8weeks to mature with an average of 2,2-2,5kg ideally. Its mortality rate ranging on 3%. Feed conversion rate being 2.1kg of feed yielding 1kg of meat. The occasional layer of the family.

Sasso T-Rainbow- Males weigh between 2.2-2.5kg and are ready for slaughter in 10weeks whilst the hen’s point of lay is at 21weeks. She will give you an average of 260 eggs a year. A T-Rainbow’s mortality rate is at 2.5%. Named T Rainbow because of their colourful feathers.

Sasso Sussex like the T-Rainbow has a mortality rate of 2.5% however she has a higher laying rate of 290 eggs per year and point of lay starts at 20weeks. Sussex males can be slaughtered at 12weeks of age. Sussex birds weight on average2.2-2.5kgs. This is the Sasso layer of the family.

The Sasso has amazing characteristics and is very marketable but not a breeder.

Many farmers attest to preferring the Sasso- which has a relatively slower growth thus ensuring firm meat texture and amazing flavor and meat products that look good and smell good which are very favorable to the market.

SOURCES: WWW.HENDRIX-GENETICS. COM:VALUE TEAM,2020 (7) (3)