Description of the 14 largest breeds of chickens and rules for keeping large birds

Today there are many large breeds of chickens, each of which has certain characteristics. All of them belong to the meat category and are distinguished by their impressive sizes. To achieve success in raising chickens, it is important to choose the right breed of birds and provide them with high-quality and complete care. It must be comprehensive.

Purpose of breeding large breeds

The main goal of raising such chickens is to obtain high-quality meat. It has high nutritional value and contains many proteins that are easily digestible. It also contains many valuable components..

The meat of such chickens is used as the basis of the diet and is widely used in cooking. In addition, there are rare breeds. They are raised in breeding farms and stored in gene pools.

Main advantages and disadvantages

The key advantages of large chickens include the following:

• delicatessen meat, which is considered dietary;
• strong immunity - a long period of selection allowed us to obtain healthy chickens that are unpretentious and adapt well to external factors;
• unlimited reproduction - this is possible if there are several unrelated lines and the characteristics of the breed are preserved.

However, chickens also have certain disadvantages:

• late maturation period - chickens produce eggs only at 7-8 months, and gain maximum weight after 1 year;
• low egg productivity - such breeds produce no more than 120 eggs per year;
• tendency to obesity.

Popular breeds

Large chickens belong to the meat category. With proper care of birds, you will be able to achieve good results in raising birds and get a lot of dietary meat.

Brahma

This is one of the most popular varieties. Birds are undemanding to care and produce a lot of meat. At the same time, they lay a lot of eggs. Bright feathers are considered a characteristic feature. They are light, partridge or dark.

The structure of the birds is considered to be knocked down. Their Westie is determined by their color. Light hens reach 5 kilograms, dark ones - 7. Laying hens produce 130 eggs weighing 60 grams per year.Ripening occurs late - at 9-10 months.

Cochin

This breed is considered giant. The birds are in many ways reminiscent of the Brahma breed. They produce tasty soft meat and healthy eggs. The birds are undemanding to care and are resistant to severe frosts. Birds are characterized by a calm character.

Roosters are large in size and have a massive body. The color can be different - blue, fawn, white. The most popular option is black plumage. Roosters reach 4.5 kilograms, hens weigh 4. They lay their first eggs at 8-9 months. Birds bring no more than 125 pieces per year.

Jersey Giant

This is a young breed that was bred in America. It is characterized by rapid growth rates. Already in the first year of life, a rooster can reach 5 kilograms. In total it weighs 6 kilograms. Laying hens grow up to 5 kilograms. They produce 190 eggs per year.

Langshan

This is a popular breed that has become widespread. Today there are standards for these chickens, which differ in productivity parameters, feather color, and external features.

Meat breeds are characterized by the following features:

1. Adult birds weigh 3-4.5 kilograms. In rare cases, roosters grow up to 5.5 kilograms.
2. The birds are characterized by a V-shaped body, strong build and thick feathers.
3. The meat has amazing taste. It is often used in expensive establishments.

Hungarian Giant

This breed is very popular in the world. It differs in external features. Birds are characterized by bright red feathers. They are distinguished by developed thermoregulation. This allows birds to easily adapt to climate change.

The average weight reaches 4-5 kilograms.However, there are also record holders who are almost twice the specified norms.

In addition, this breed is characterized by high egg production parameters, which reach 300 eggs per year. They are characterized by large sizes and weigh 70 grams. Therefore, chickens of this breed are often bred on a large scale. The undoubted advantages are the presence of a brooding instinct and excellent immunity.

Dorking

These birds are famous throughout the world. Their ancestors are considered to be Roman chickens, from which they inherited a penchant for rapid development.

Chickens of this breed are characterized by different colors. At the same time, gray-golden shades are most widespread. They are characterized by a black and white mane, golden belly and gray back.

Females weigh 3.5-4 kilograms, males - 5. However, the birds do not demonstrate high egg production rates. Stress factors, dietary disturbances, and unfavorable external conditions lead to a decrease in the number of eggs.

Sasso – colored broiler

This is a hybrid breed that was bred by French scientists. Sasso has fighting roots, and this is evident in her appearance. There are a number of subspecies that differ in different feather colors and low productivity.

Birds can reach a weight of 5 kilograms. They are characterized by stable egg production. Birds lay up to 120 eggs per year. At the same time, growing them will require a lot of effort and time. Despite their omnivorous nature, birds require a certain mode of food consumption. Thanks to this, they develop better. Slaughter is carried out already at 2 months.

Mechelen cuckoo, or Malin

The name of this breed is due to the original color of the feathers. The birds were bred in Belgium back in the 19th century.These birds are characterized by a number of features:

1. Low body and short legs with thick feathers. The body is distinguished by powerful muscles and rounded shapes.
2. Attractive color. The feathers are covered with beautiful gray and white stripes. The result is a striped coat.
3. Changeable temperament. Laying hens are usually friendly. However, sometimes they commit aggressive acts.
4. High body weight. It reaches 4.5-5.5 kilograms. At the same time, the birds produce 130 eggs per year and develop rapidly.

Bress Galskaya

This famous breed is characterized by excellent taste of meat. It was bred in the mid-20th century. However, the breed received official recognition in 1957.

Females weigh 3.5 kilograms, and males can reach 5 kilograms. The birds have a body type characteristic of broilers, which is why novice farmers often mistake them for hybrids.

Birds are distinguished by white feathers. Their distinctive feature is their blue paws. Laying hens produce a lot of eggs - 250 eggs per year. Each of them weighs 85 grams. Another advantage of the breed is its calm nature.

Corniche

Many broiler hybrids have been developed based on this breed. Chickens are characterized by widely spaced legs and a square body with pronounced muscles. Birds are characterized by rapid development. Adults weigh 3.5-4 kilograms.

Laying hens have a developed brooding instinct. They take tender care of the chickens. However, sometimes birds are able to show fighting qualities.

Little John

This humorous nickname was given to the pet by the owner. The cockerel lived in England and belonged to the Brahma breed. The bird grew to 66 centimeters. According to the owner, such results were achieved thanks to his special love for popcorn.

Big Snow

This rooster is a rare breed of Whitesulli chicken. He lived in Australia and became a real record holder. A special body recorded his weight in 1992. The average weight of the breed did not exceed 10 kilograms. At the same time, Big Snow weighed 10.36 kilograms.

Orpington

These birds were named after the town in which they were bred. The birds are distinguished by their black and white color. Their feathers should not contain yellowness. Roosters of this species can reach 5 kilograms. Representatives weighing 7 kilograms were recorded.

Laying hens weigh 3-4 kilograms. In 1 year they produce 185 eggs weighing 60-63 grams. Young birds do not develop very quickly and require careful care.

Master Gray

Birds of this breed are valued for their meat and eggs. The birds are distinguished by gray plumage. There is a dark gray stripe around the neck that resembles a necklace. The back and belly are distinguished by a light gray tint, and the comb and earrings are bright red.

Birds are characterized by a strong body and massive legs. They are distinguished by developed muscles. In six months, hens grow up to 4 kilograms, roosters - up to 7. In favorable conditions, birds produce up to 300 eggs per year.

Which one is better to choose?

When choosing a breed, you should consider the following features:

• average weight of birds;
• appearance of birds;
• egg production;
• ripening time.

Features of keeping and feeding large breed chickens

Raising large chickens is not difficult. It is worth considering certain features:

1. Organize a spacious walk. A high fence is not required since chickens do not fly.
2. Place nests and perches at a maximum height of 50 centimeters. If this is not possible, it is worth installing additional ramps.
3. Control the egg laying process. Laying hens are capable of crushing or throwing away eggs.
4. Establish a clear feeding regimen.Many breeds are prone to obesity.

Today there are many breeds of large chickens that differ in certain characteristics. Such birds belong to the meat category.

To achieve good results in raising birds, it is necessary to properly organize the chicken coop and establish a feeding regime.