Backyard Chickens – The 5 Best Meat Chicken Breeds
It's only fair to share...
Choosing A Meat Chicken
With the growing popularity of raising backyard chickens comes an increasing interest in raising meat chickens. Dual-purpose chickens, those yielding both eggs and meat, are the most popular. But many backyard chicken farmers are turning to meat chickens for their better flavor.
Just like with egg layers, a different result comes with each breed so, choosing the best meat chicken breeds depends on what you’re looking to achieve.
This is a review of what I consider the 5 best chicken breeds to raise for meat.
Broilers
Broilers are chickens raised specifically for meat. They grow much faster than egg laying hens or dual purpose breeds. Most broilers have a fast growth rate with a high feed conversion ratio and low activity levels. In five weeks, broilers can reach a dressed weight of 4-5 pounds. Dual-purpose breeds, usually raised for both meat and egg production, are smaller with a slower growth rate.
Cornish Cross – The Cornish Cross is an excellent, fast growing broiler. Harvest time for a 4 pound broiler is normally 7 to 8 weeks. Their body make-up is superb, with broad breasts, large legs and thighs and a rich yellow skin.
Jersey Giant – Originating in the United States, this bird was developed to replace the turkey. A purebred chicken, the Giant’s weight averages 11-13 pounds. Jersey Giants grow at a slower rate than other meat birds, about 6 months to full maturity, making them undesirable to commercial industry. While originally a meat chicken, today, the Giant is prized as a dual-purpose bird, laying extra-large brown eggs.
Heritage / Heirloom
When describing Heritage chickens, the words heirloom, old-fashion and antique come to mind. The American Poultry Association began defining these breeds in 1873; setting standards for birds as being well adapted to various climates, hardy and long-lived and reproducing at a rate to provide a protein source to the growing nation. As chicken breeding became industrialized, these breeds were replaced by fast growing hybrids. Today, more than three dozen chicken breeds are listed as in danger of extinction. To avoid irrevocable loss caused by the extinction of a breed, The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy sets standards for marketing these as Heritage.
I love Heritage breeds preferring them to the newer, fast growing breeds. They are large meaty chickens and many also produce a nice amount of eggs. I usually buy my Heritage breeds on line since they are harder to find locally than what more popular breeds are.
Below is a listing of the breeds which qualify as Heritage:
Campine, Chantecler, Crevecoeur, Holland, Modern Game, Nankin, Redcap, Russian Orloff, Spanish, Sultan, Sumatra, Yokohama, Andalusian, Buckeye, Buttercup, Cubalaya, Delaware, Dorking, Faverolles, Java, Lakenvelder, Langshan, Malay, Phoenix, Ancona, Aseel, Brahma, Catalana, Cochin, Cornish , Dominique , Hamburg, Houdan, Jersey Giant , La Fleche, Minorca, New Hampshire , Old English Game, Polish, Rhode Island White, Sebright , Shamo, Australorp, Leghorn- Non-industrial, Orpington, Plymouth Rock , Rhode Island Red – Non industrial , Sussex, Wyandotte , Araucana, Iowa Blue, Lamona, Manx Rumpy (Persian Rumpless), Naked Neck (Turken).
My preferred Heritage breeds:
Delaware – A heavy bodied bird, the male can weigh up to 8.5 pounds and a female, 6.5 pounds. Originating from the U.S., the Delaware is hardy in heat and cold and matures quickly. The meat is delicious and the hens lay jumbo eggs. Delawares have calm and friendly dispositions
Dorking – This relatively calm bird is nonaggressive so it does well around children and small dogs. Another dual-purpose chicken, the Dorking is a superior table fowl with tender flesh and meaty breasts and wings. Dorkings are productive winter layers, providing a steady egg supply when other breeds are not laying. Good broody hens and excellent mothers, they stay with their chicks much longer than other breeds.
Buckeye – This is the only American breed exclusively created by a woman; developed by Mrs. Nettie Metcalf of Warren, Ohio. This dual-purpose breed is very cold weather hardy and adapts to various living conditions. However, because they are very active, they do not do well in confined spaces, adapting best to free-range. Hens lay medium-sized brown eggs and weigh an average of 6.5 pounds; roosters average 9 pounds.
Share this:
Like this:
LikeLoading...
Baby Chicks Home in
Colton, California
We have many Rare Chicken Breeds for sale in Colton California,
including Sussex Chickens, Welsummer Chickens, Turken Chickens and more.
Be sure to check out the Bargain Specials, as you can combine different
egg layers in smaller amounts and buy as an assortment. Colton
California also has poultry equipment for sale, game chickens for sale in
Colton California, bantams for sale, ducks for sale, geese for sale,
turkeys for sale, guinea for sale, peafowl for sale, pheasant for sale,
chukar partridge for sale, bobwhite for sale, many different breeds of
baby chicks for sale in Colton CA.
Baby
Chicks For Sale in
Colton, California
Thumbing through a baby chickens for sale in Colton California
catalog is a yearly traditions in many houses. My kids and I eagerly await
the Murray McMurray Hatchery catalog. We love looking at all the cool and
different chicken breeds available. Catalogs are free so head on over to
their site and request one if you are interested.
Typically hatcheries online offer both standard breeds
and bantams. Bantams are fun hardy little chickens, they lay tiny eggs
that kids especially love collecting. Bantams typically weigh less than 2
pounds when full grown. Just like ordering anything online there are pros
and cons to ordering baby chicks online. Pros of buying baby chicks in
Colton California * Big Selection - If you are wanting a large
variety of different chicken breeds and egg colors, you will find the best
selection at an online hatchery. * Both Bantams and full sized chickens
available * You get to choose what sex you want. If you want a mixture of
both male and female then choosing a "straight run" will save you money
and you will get a mixture of male and female chicks. You can also choose
all males or all females too. * Weekly specials. Hatcheries have sales on
chicks, you are likely to get a good deal if you are flexible with the
breeds you are wanting. Cons of buying baby chicks in Colton
California * Order early to get the best selection. Certain breeds sell
out fast, sometimes as early as 6 months in advance of shipping! If you
are wanting a certain breed it's best to order your chicks in the fall
before their orders sell out.
Baby Chicks On Sale in
Colton, California
Quantity - you must order a certain number of chicks. Typically hatcheries
will require you buy a minimum of 25 chicks at a time. The number is
necessary for the chicks survival during shipping. All 25 chicks are put
in one small box without heat. They are crowded in the box and produce
enough body heat to arrive in good shape. * The wait - If you choose to
buy chicks from a feed store you will have them the same day but if you
choose to go with a hatchery you have to wait until they are ready to ship
and then wait for the chicks to arrive. Ordering baby chicks online in
Colton California is easy and has always been a very pleasant
experience of me. It can be a little frustrating waiting for the chicks
but it's so worth the wait. When the post office calls and you hear all
those little "cheeps" or "chirps" in the background you'll know the wait
was worth it! How to Care for your new baby chickens in Colton,
California Baby chicks are quite
cute and also
challenging to withstand,
yet it's finest to plan for their
arrival before you get them. Prepare first
by gathering not just the
proper products, yet
additionally the correct
expertise to care for
them. Raising baby chicks is fairly
basic, you simply have to provide them with the following: A tidy and also cozy
environment Plenty of food and water Interest and
love Habitat Your habitat can be a
simple box, aquarium,
feline service provider, or guinea
pig cage. Line it with old towels as well as
blankets (without any loosened
strings!) to begin, as well as after a
couple of weeks utilize straw over newspaper.
Keep in mind: Avoid utilizing just
paper or various other sandal
surfaces-- or your chicks legs can expand
misshapen. You additionally need
something to dish out food and
water in, such as a chicken feeder as well as water
recipe from the feed store, or a pickle jar
lid for food and also an animal bird water dispenser from a family pet store. Likewise, as the chicks age you could present a perch
into the habitat to obtain them
trained on setting down. Warmth To
keep your chicks heat you should
provide them with a warmth resource.
This can be as easy as a 100 watt
light bulb in a reflective clamp style lamp from a
hardware shop, or an infrared reptile heat
bulb also work very
well (my
referral). Chicks require this
warmth 24/7 till their downy fluff is
replaced with plumes (which could use
up to 2 months). The newly
hatched out need a temperature level
between 90 and 100 degrees,
as well as every week this can
be reduced by
approximately 5 degrees or
so. The heat source ought
to be on just one side of the cage
to permit chicks an array of
temperature levels. The chicks are your ideal
thermometer- if they are hiding in the
opposite corner of your heat
light, you need to
lower the temperature level. If
they are smothering each various other under the
warmth (not simply curling up),
you should put some heat.
House cleaning
Sanitation is vital and it keeps your chicks healthy. Be sure to transform
the bedding
commonly and also
constantly supply clean
food and also water Food as well as water.
Chicks grow extremely quick
which calls for a lot of clean
food as well as water. Give
enough at all times and also check
often to
stop parched and
starving chicks. Chick food is various than adult chicken food, as well as it comes
in both medicated as well as non-medicated selections. Feed chick food for the
very first two months, after that
switch over to a grower food (~ 17 %
protein) for one more 2 months,
and after that to a somewhat
lower protein feed or a layer feed
(if you have layers). Dirt Some chicks want
to obtain a running start on taking
dust bathrooms, while others won't occupy that activity up until they are
older. If you have the area in your chick
room, introduce a tray of sand or
dirt for them to wash in.
Focus and love There are a couple of advantages to spending quality time with your chicks. Firstly, they will more than likely bond with you as well as
not run away as grownups. Second, if you
examine your chicks daily as well as
enjoy their actions, you could
capture health problem or various
other issues previously. Watch out for wheezing, hopping, or
various other harmful
indications. Make certain to
additionally check out
their poop, as looseness of the bowels can bring about matted plumes as well
as clogged cloaca.
Lastly, it is important to watch out for social concerns, such as the
littlest chick getting badgered. Empty nest disorder So your
chicks are now fully feathery
and also its time for them to leave the
security of your house
as well as move outside into a
coop. Check out our
area on chicken coops to find out
more
about coops as well as
appropriate cage environments.
Baby Chickens DietBaby Chicks House More Posts Baby Chickens for Sale in Auberry, California Baby Chickens for Sale in Agoura Hills, California Baby Chickens for Sale in Bayside, California Baby Chickens for Sale in Armona, California Baby Chickens for Sale in Chino, California