Household products are of high quality, are in demand on the market and contribute to the family budget. Beginning poultry farmers or experienced breeders may be interested in meat chickens. Let's consider the advantages of breeding them in the conditions of homestead and dacha farming, which breeds are best to have, and the features of their maintenance.
Features of meat breeds
Meat varieties of chickens are larger than egg varieties, less mobile, and behave more peacefully in chicken coops. It is important for households that they are little susceptible to various stresses, quickly gain weight, and can produce several types of products - meat, eggs, feathers.
History of origin
Chickens, which produce a lot of high-quality meat, along with the ability to hatch large eggs, have long attracted people who carried out targeted selection of breeds - breeding. This is how Brama and Cochin China appeared in Indochina. These chickens are beautiful in appearance, and many breeders keep them as ornamental birds.
Purposeful selection for the purpose of industrial production of meat chickens began at the end of the 19th century, in England and France, and then in the USA. The main goal of breeders was to obtain fast-growing poultry well adapted to local growing conditions. This is how the Dorking breed appeared (from crossing indigenous chickens with a variety brought by the Romans).
Birds of the Cornish breed were bred in England and remained fighting birds for a long time. In France, by crossing Brahms, Houdans, Cochins and silver Dorkings, Faverolles chickens appeared.
Currently, meat breeds are used to create broiler crosses, which are characterized by rapid weight gain and soft dietary meat, for example, the offspring of the Cornish and Plymouth rock lines. Colored broiler Sasso appeared about 35 years ago and firmly conquered the French meat markets.
A separate breeding line was the selection of miniature meat chickens, which were fashionable to keep even in city apartments. Chickens with genes for dwarfism were selected from breeds such as Plymouthrock, Egg Leghorn, Cornish and Rhode Island.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of meat breeds include:
- rapid growth of individuals and weight gain;
- high dietary properties of meat;
- at the same time you can get large eggs;
- high market value of carcasses.
Disadvantages of raising meat chickens:
- high need for feed and vitamin and mineral supplements;
- Some breeds are susceptible to infections.
As you can see, there are more advantages in breeding these birds than disadvantages.
Popular varieties
Let's consider the best breeds that are suitable for growing for meat on private farms and in summer cottages.
Ameraucana
The breed is of American origin. Chickens lay blue, pink, and greenish eggs. The color of the birds is varied - from white to blue and dark yellow. The weight of roosters is 3, chickens are 2.5 kilograms. Egg production – 200-350 eggs per year, weighing 60-65 grams.
Brahma
It is distinguished by powerful feathered legs, strong wings and a large fluffy tail. The body color is white, the neck is black and white or gray, the tail is black. You can find birds with beige plumage. The comb is medium-sized, fleshy, the powerful beak is yellow. Hens produce, on average, about 100 large eggs over 60 grams per year. The weight of hens is 3.5, roosters are 4.5 kilograms. The bird is thermophilic, but continues to fly in winter. Requires a large amount of food rich in proteins, fats and vitamins.
Hungarian giant
Large chickens with a round body of red-brown color. They gain weight quickly. Attractive looking carcasses. The weight of a rooster is 4-4.5, a chicken is 3.5-4 kilograms. The bird is ready for slaughter at the age of 3-4 months. Egg production - up to 200 eggs per year, beige in color, weighing 55-60 grams.
Bresse gallica
An ancient French breed, the history of its breeding goes back about 500 years. The white cockerel of this particular breed became a symbol of France; its profile even appeared on the coins of the republic. It is distinguished by blue paws and a bright red crest. A breed with a high degree of adaptability to living conditions. The weight of a rooster is 5, a chicken is 4 kilograms. Egg production – 240 eggs per year, weighing from 60 to 85 grams.
Gudan
The French breed is distinguished by white juicy meat with thin bones. There is a distinct crest on the head, which is why this type of chicken is highly decorative, especially in combination with a variegated color. The weight of the rooster is 3.6, the hen is 3.2 kilograms. Egg production is up to 150 eggs per year, egg weight is 45-60 grams.
Jersey giant
A complex cross, bred in the USA by crossing Brahma, Orpington, Langshan and others. Color black, white, blue with a green tint. The comb is six-toothed, smooth, red, the beak is dark. Birds have a calm temperament and do not fly. Laying hens often throw out or crush newly laid eggs with their weight, so they need inclined planes in their nests - ramps.
They require a lot of balanced feed. The main advantage of these birds is their rapid weight gain. By the age of 7 months, the weight of cockerels reaches 5, hens - 4 kilograms. Egg production is up to 180 eggs per year, with an average egg weight of 65 grams.
Dorking
The English breed, known since the end of the 19th century, has high decorative qualities. The color is varied - from variegated to bright white, brown and black-blue individuals with a wide body. The comb of roosters is red, fleshy, vertical, while that of hens hangs to the side. The beak is light. Roosters weigh 3.5-4.5, hens - 2.5-3.5 kilograms.Egg production is 120-140 eggs per year, with an average egg weight of 66 grams. Birds are susceptible to infection that causes encephalitis, so chickens are vaccinated.
Corniche
White Cornish is widespread. The legs are without feathers, together with the beak are yellow. The carcass produces well-shaped breasts. This variety provides the highest economic efficiency of cultivation. Birds have high growth rates with relatively little feed consumption. The American Poultry Association has named the Cornish breed the meat standard. The weight of roosters is 3.5-5, hens up to 3.5 kilograms. Egg production – 140-170 eggs per year, average egg weight – 55 grams.
Note! With insufficient walking, birds of this breed suffer from obesity. Carcasses that are too fat are not in demand on the market.
Cochin
Stately chickens with powerful legs, completely covered with feathers. Color ranges from red to gray, mottled and gray-black. The beak is yellow. The transition from the head to the body is strongly curved, making the head appear to be held high, with a proud posture. They tolerate winter well in warm sheds, can do without walking, are inactive, and do not fly. Weight of hens – 4, roosters – 5 kilograms. Egg production is about 100 eggs per year, with the number of eggs maintaining and slightly increasing in winter, the average weight of eggs is 55 grams.
Langshan
The breed originates from northern China, obtained by crossing Minor and black chickens. Two varieties are known:
- English bobtails (suitable for free-ranging in the country);
- German holopods.
The body is tall and the birds have a proud posture. The weight of roosters is 4, chickens are 3 kilograms. Egg production – 110 pieces per year with a weight of 56 grams.
Mini
Red-black, fawn and white colors are common.They are characterized by low paws, which is why they should not be allowed out for walking in wet weather. The eggs retain the weight of normal eggs. Roosters reach a weight of 3, chickens - 2.7 kilograms. Egg production is 180 eggs per year, average egg weight is 60 grams.
Orpington
They are distinguished by a massive, squat body, soft white, red, gray, marbled, black or black-edged (gold-edged) feathers. The color has many other varieties. The head is small, the paws are without feathers. Meat accumulates a small amount of fat, which is why it is highly valued. The weight of cockerels is 4-4.5, hens – 3-3.5 kilograms. Chickens produce up to 160 eggs per year, with an average weight of 50 grams.
Plymouth Rock
The American breed, which produces meat of excellent quality, with a well-developed breast, quickly gains weight. The most common are white Plymouth Rocks - they adapt well to the climate and begin laying eggs early. The breed can be considered as a meat-egg breed. The comb is four to six teeth, straight, red. The beak is yellow-gray, the iris of the eyes is orange. The weight of roosters is 4.5, hens - 3 kilograms. Egg production is 160-200 eggs per year, the average weight of one egg is 60 grams. The variety has high immunity and needs walking.
Sasso
A highly productive cross, the daily growth of chickens reaches 60 grams. Features a large body. The paws are powerful and bare. Color reddish, black, fawn, motley. The weight of roosters is 5, chickens are 4 kilograms. Egg production – 120 eggs per year with an average weight of 55-60 grams.
Faverolles
Elegant French breed of meat chickens. It is distinguished by low paws with five toes covered with feathers and a small tail. The color is varied, salmon or so-called “Colombian silver”.The beak is very short, powerful, light-colored. The carcasses are easy to pluck, the meat is tender, tasty, slightly reminiscent of game. Chickens need to roam freely and plants are not nibbled. The weight of roosters is 3.5-4, chickens are 2.5-3.5 kilograms. Egg production is 160-180 eggs per year, average egg weight is 55-60 grams.
Features of maintenance and reproduction
For meat birds, it is important to keep their coops clean. The bedding should be made of sawdust or straw. The old litter is regularly removed, scrubbing down to the base of the floor, and a new layer is poured. Meat poultry should be provided with free range. Chickens without exercise are susceptible to obesity, which leads to negative consequences for keeping.
Important! Chickens cannot tolerate high humidity in the chicken coop. Clean and ventilate the room regularly.
Meat chickens are wonderful brood hens. Young animals are kept in a room with air humidity of 50-60 percent. In the first days, chickens are given food made from hard-boiled yolks.
Which breed is better to choose?
Beginner poultry farmers are advised to opt for White Plymouthrock breed, because it is the most unpretentious. A balance in feed costs and carcass weight is achieved with the Cornish breed. The best option in terms of feed costs, space occupied, meat and egg yield is provided by mini chickens.
