The SASSO Chicken is not technically considered a breed of poultry, but rather a dual-purpose chicken, meaning they are utilized in the meat and egg production, that are manufactured by a French company named SASSO. Despite the name “SASSO” referring to the name of the Company, many people also refer to it as a breed of chicken and a brand of the poultry industry. This type of chicken has many lines of breeds, including the original development of SASSO Chicken known as the T Lines breed that Serge Perrault of France created in the 1950s as a way of preserving the traditional chicken breeds. The name “SASSO” is an acronym for “Selection Avicole de la Sarthe et du Sud-Oest” or “Avian Selection of Sarthe and Southwest.” The French originally coined the term Sasso chicken in 1978. This type of chicken is a crossbred of other traditional breeds such as the Rhode Island Red roosters and a strain of indigenous chickens from France, making it a hybrid broiler. Other variations of the SASSO include the SASSO XL 551, known as the “meat type” of broilers. SASSO Chicken are one of the most popular chicken brands in Eastern Africa.
SASSO Chicken are prized for their high-quality, flavorful meat, which contains more muscle mass than conventional broilers. Despite being primarily a meat breed, they are also efficient egg layers with a high hatchability rate. Hens typically begin laying at 6–8 months of age, with peak production occurring around 11–12 months. Their reliable egg output often offsets maintenance costs, making them an economical choice for small-scale and commercial farmers alike.
One of the SASSO Chicken’s greatest strengths is its adaptability to various climates and resistance to diseases and parasites. These birds thrive in free-range and backyard settings, requiring minimal veterinary care. Their hardy nature makes them ideal for novice poultry keepers, while their docile temperament ensures easy handling—despite descending from gamefowl breeds.
SASSO Chicken perform best with ample space to forage, reinforcing their suitability for sustainable and organic farming systems. Whether raised for meat, eggs, or breeding, SASSO Chicken remain a versatile and low-maintenance choice for poultry farmers worldwide.
In Tanzania, SASSO Chickens are distributed by various agents, including KuKu Farms Limited, a poultry production company located in Mkenge, Bagamoyo. Compared to indigenous chickens, SASSO breeds provide greater commercial benefits, such as:
- Slow-growing genetics, enhancing meat quality
- Ready for slaughter at 70 days
- Annual egg production of 240 eggs
- Live weight exceeding 2.5 Kg at slaughter age
After testing multiple SASSO varieties, KuKu Farms Limited identified the SASSO Rainbow X as the most suitable for Tanzanian farmers. The breed has also been evaluated by the African Chicken Genetic Gains (ACGG) program in Tanzania, Nigeria, and Ethiopia. However, since SASSO Chicken are relatively new to Tanzania, further research and performance analysis could provide additional insights.