What is the standard classification of poultry?

Question

What is the standard classification of poultry?

Answer 1

Poultry is the category of domesticated birds kept for meat, eggs, and feathers. These most typically are members of the superorder Galloanserae (fowl), especially the order Galliformes (which includes chickens and turkeys) and the family Anatidae (in order Anseriformes), commonly known as "waterfowl" (e.g. domestic ducks and domestic geese). Poultry also include other meat birds such as pigeons or doves or game birds like pheasants. The term also refers to the flesh of such birds.

Answer 2

chicken, turkey, duck, goose

Answer 3

That's a good question.  It would seem simple, but is not.

Besides the obvious , such as chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese, there are more.  Some are more domesticated than others.  A good place to visit is the Preservation of Poultry Antiquities, which has a whole host of specimens.  

From Button Quail, to Emus, these are included in the poultry family.  Obviously, egg laying is a factor.  If it can be used for meat or eggs, that should be a deciding factor.  

Simplified, a definition:

poul·try (pltr)

n.

Domestic fowls, such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, or geese, raised for meat or eggs.

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[Middle English pultrie, from Old French pouletrie, from pouletier, poultry dealer, from poulet, pullet; see pullet.]