Some might consider the best meat chicken breeds to be a 45 day chicken. Or, one that is fully mature and ready for butchering 45 days after hatching. But others can reasonably argue that the best meat birds come from chickens who are raised slower and are dual purpose. Meaning not only are they wonderful for meat production, but egg production, too. With thousands of chicken breeds to choose from, it can be overwhelming to choose the right breed for your needs. That’s why I took the guesswork out and created the Top 5 Broiler Chicken Breeds for Meat Production.
Today I am going to take a deep look at the best meat chicken breeds. This in-depth look will ultimately help you to make an informed decision when it comes time to select your meat chickens.
Not only will my list include fast growing, 45 day chicken breeds, but heritage meat birds as well. Because if you are looking for a dual purpose meat chicken, I have a couple of great breeds!
By the end of this article, you will know the average mature weight of each breed and how long each meat chicken breed takes to reach full butchering weight.
Equally important to know is which of these meat chicken breeds are best on pasture or conventional feed. Additionally, I will inform you on what to feed your meat birds, how much and how often.
Last, I will list the top 5 poultry hatcheries in the United States, to help make your buying decision easier.
It’s important to note that the below list of Top 5 Broiler Chicken Breeds for Meat Production is in no particular order. Use this list to determine your needs and expectations when deciding what best meat chicken breed will suit you.
Freedom Rangers
- Have good heat and cold tolerance.
- Do well on pasture and forage well, although, they should still be fed broiler feed to ensure best growth rates.
- Need broiler starter chick feed for the first 4 to 5 weeks. The extra protein in the feed is a necessary boost to ensure maximum growth.
- Weeks to maturity: 9 to 11 weeks
- Average butcher weight: 5 to 6 pounds. Butcher weight varies depending on sex of the chicken, feed and environment.
- This meat bird has a smaller breast size.
Orpington
- Dual purpose. Good egg layers, even during winter.
- Lays large brown eggs.
- Good heat tolerance.
- Are great on pasture.
- Weeks to maturity: 20 weeks
- Average butcher weight: 8 to 10 pounds. Butcher weight varies depending on sex of the chicken, feed and environment.
Cornish Rock
- 45 day chicken, bred specifically as a meat chicken and considered by most to be one of the best meat chicken breeds.
- Need broiler starter chick feed for the first 4 to 5 weeks. The extra protein in the feed is a necessary boost to ensure maximum growth.
- Feed conversion rate of 2 pounds of feed to 1 pound of gain.
- Poor on pasture and as free range birds. You will need to feed them conventional broiler chicken feed.
- Not heat tolerant.
- Weeks to maturity: 6-8 weeks.
- Average butcher weight: 5.50 to 9.50 pounds. Butcher weight varies depending on sex of the chicken, feed and environment.
- Broad breast meat with thick thighs.
Jersey Giant
- Dual purpose breed and are decent layers.
- Lays brown eggs.
- Good tolerance to heat and cold.
- Need broiler starter chick feed for the first 4 to 5 weeks. The extra protein in the feed is a necessary boost to ensure maximum growth.
- Are good free rangers.
- Weeks to maturity: 20 weeks.
- Average butcher weight: 10 to 13 pounds. Butcher weight varies depending on sex of the chicken, feed and environment.
- Broad breast meat.
Brahma
- Dual purpose breed. Good egg layers, even during winter.
- Lays large brown eggs.
- Good tolerance to heat and cold.
- Are poor free rangers and will need to be supplemented with conventional chicken feed.
- Weeks to maturity: 20 weeks.
- Average butcher weight: 9.50 to 12 pounds.
Feeding Broiler Chicken Breeds for Meat Production
Most heavy breed meat chickens will need a different feed than your standard size chicken. As a result, they should be started on broiler starter from day 1 and fed this feed for the first 4 to 5 weeks. Broiler starter feed is a common food for meat breeds. Basically, almost all feed and farm supply stores will carry this feed.
Below are some tips for feeding practices that will ensure maximum growth.
- Start your meat birds on broiler starter feed with 23-24% protein.
- Feed broiler starter for the first 4-5 weeks of life.
- After the initial 4-5 weeks, change their food to a finisher feed with 20-21% protein.
- Higher protein can help to eliminate leg problems that are common in heavy breed meat chickens.
- After 14 days, limit feeding to once per day. In order to do this, it is recommended to fill the chicken feeders in the morning and let them eat through late afternoon.
Important Things To Know With a 45 Day Broiler Chicken
The allure of butchering a chicken just 45 days after hatching is real. Sure, you’ll pay more per chick upfront, but they convert their feed so quickly that ultimately you will save money. And time. But there are a few things to consider.
- They are messy and lazy. Like, really messy! And really lazy! They basically eat and lay down. Growing 50 meat birds each summer has me cleaning their coop at least once per week.
- When it’s feeding time, they can get pretty gluttonous and competitive.
- They require a large supply of fresh water at all times.
- Don’t expect a personality. They are literally bred to eat and gain weight.
- Some may experience leg problems due to their fast growth rate. However, managing their feed can help to prevent this.
Considerations For Keeping Dual Purpose Meat and Egg Production Chickens
Dual purpose chickens have two benefits: they supply you with eggs and when they reach their final weight and they give you meat. It’s important to realize, the average chicken will start laying eggs around 18 weeks of age. On the other hand, most dual purpose chickens will have reached full butchering weight by 20 weeks of age.
There are some things to consider.
- Consequently, dual purpose chicken breeds take longer to reach butchering weight. As a result, they require more feed as they do not convert their feed to meat as quickly.
- If you plan on keeping a hen for egg production, you can still butcher her. Because poultry meat becomes tough as it ages, by 12 months of age, a hen is typically used for baking or stewing.
- Timing is everything when considering a dual purpose chicken. Order your chicks early in the spring or late in the fall. If you time it out right, you will be able to reap the rewards of eggs on top of butchering in early winter or summer.
- Consequently, northern climates may have to keep their dual purpose meat birds for almost two growing seasons to enjoy both meat and eggs.
Where To Buy The Best Meat Chicken Breeds
The best meat chicken breeds can widely be found through mail-order, online hatcheries. Although, many feed and farm supply stores now carry a small selection of chicks seasonally.
Below is a list of some of the top hatcheries in the United States selling the Top 5 Broiler Chicken Breeds for Meat Production. In addition, these hatcheries ship chicks with few restrictions and small minimum order quantities.
- Murray McMurray Hatchery: Established in 1917, this one stop poultry shop caters to backyard farmers and hobby farmers. They especially pride themselves on their free, full color catalog that feels more like a magazine! http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com
- Townline Hatchery: A fourth-generation family run business, started over 100 years ago, Townline offers a wide selection of mail order chicks. Additionally, they will send you a color flyer that lists their top selling poultry. http://www.townlinehatchery.com
- Meyer Hatchery: Started in 1985, this family owned hatchery offers 160 birds from their Ohio hatchery and prides themselves on excellent customer service. http://www.meyerhatchery.com
- Stromberg’s Chickens: This multi-generational poultry hatchery was established 100 years ago. Moreover, this hatchery offers 200 breeds of birds that ship from their Minnesota headquarters. http://www.strombergschickens.com
- Ideal Poultry: Established in 1937, this family run business ships more than 5 million birds annually from their Texas hatchery. http://www.idealpoultry.com
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I didn’t see speckled Sussex chickens on your list of meat/egg layers? Those are what I have and are perfect for both meat & egg production. Might want to check them out, they are docile, beautiful to look at and great foraging birds!
Thank you for the great suggestion! I will definitely look into them. They sound like one to definitely add to the list!