Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

The chicken is the most popular poultry in the household. Not only healthy and low-calorie meat is obtained from it, but also homemade eggs. One of the best variations is the meat and egg breed of chickens, which allows you to get both.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

Directions

Modern poultry farmers subdivide the breeding of chickens into the following main categories:

    • egg – when the goal is to obtain as many good quality eggs as possible, while the quantity and quality of meat are significantly inferior;
    • meat – includes individuals that gain body weight as quickly as possible, while the taste and quality of meat are at their best, and egg production can be minimal;
    • meat and eggin which the number of eggs laid and their quality are combined with excellent meat performance;
    • ornamental – here the exterior is of the greatest importance, however, other characteristics may also be present.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

To breed such chickens, hybrid breeds are grown, which are also called crosses. These birds are characterized very highly in terms of productivity. Their versatility makes breeding them cost-effective.

Main features

Chickens of the meat and egg direction are a group that includes many universal breeds. They are not capricious, able to endure different climates, unpretentious in care and feeding. As for the hatching instinct, it is most often well developed. Most of these varieties are bred by crossing different types of meat and egg.

However, in nature there are such breeds without the intervention of the human factor. There are breeds of this direction, which are so harmonious in appearance that they are classified as decorative species.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

Egg production is slightly lower than typical egg types, but generally higher than meat types. Distinguishing Features:

    • solid body type:
    • feathers are located rather loosely;
    • average limb length;
    • peaceful character;
    • weight varies by breed and gender.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

Such chickens are great for a homestead, when it is beneficial for the owner to receive not only many high-quality eggs, but also good meat.

List of breeds

In order to choose a breed for breeding at home, you need to read the description of the most popular and common varieties. The best chickens to breed at home tend to have a one-stop destination. On a farm, it is not always cost-effective to keep chickens with a narrow direction. We offer you a list and description of the most famous breeds of meat and egg chickens.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

    • Poltava. It has clay-type feathers, egg production – up to 190 pieces per year, egg weight varies from 55 to 60 grams. The weight of the bird is from 2 to 3,5 kg, depending on the sex. The instinct of incubation is excellently developed, sexual maturity occurs at the age of five months. Plumage of a dense type, shades from light to dark brown, with darkened feather tips. The meat is juicy and tender. The egg white is very high quality. Egg production starts at 5 months. The feed requires corn, grain mixtures, combined feed. They tolerate cold well, can be kept in unheated poultry houses.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

    • Black bearded. It was bred in Russia at the end of the 200th century, the laying of eggs is the highest – up to 2 pieces per year. Mother hens perfectly incubate chicks. Weight – from 4 to XNUMX kg, depending on the sex.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

    • Red whitetail. This is one of the most common breeds due to its high productivity. Sexual maturity occurs after six months. Weight varies from 3 to 4,5 kg, but egg production is slightly inferior, up to 160 pieces per year. After the age of three, it declines. The incubation instinct is poorly developed.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

    • Ukrainian earflap. A very developed species in Ukraine, medium size, weight – from 2 to 3,5 kg, egg production – up to 180 pieces, hens are excellent. The percentage of survival is almost one hundred percent, they are completely undemanding in care.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

    • Yerevan. Bred in Armenia, in Russia it is not as popular as in the Caucasus. It has very spectacular decorative data, while chickens are distrustful, anxious. Weight – from 2 to 4,5 kg, sexual maturity occurs after six months. High egg production – up to 220 pcs. in year.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

    • Adler silver. A very beautiful variety, the color is yellowish, the limbs and beak are the same color, but brighter. The comb is in the form of a leaf, the chest and back are of a wide type. The body is strong and compact. The weight of chickens is from 2,5 to 4 kg, egg production exceeds 170 pieces, the instinct of the hen is poorly developed. The temper is calm, not capricious. In Russia they are very widespread.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

    • Kuchinsky anniversary. Such chickens are bred and widely distributed in our country; among the birds of this species, they are one of the largest in size. Weight – from 2,6 to 4 kg. The weight of the egg is average, up to 60 grams. Meat is highly valued for its taste and other qualities, the protein component is greater than that of broilers. The hens from them are excellent.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

    • Faverol. It looks very impressive, the limbs are magnificently feathered, there are sideburns. The weight of birds on average ranges between 2,5 and 4 kg, depending on the sex. Egg production – up to 180 pieces annually.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

    • Viandot. First bred in the United States in the middle of the last century. Egg laying – up to 175 pcs. annually, carcass weight – from 3 to 3,8 kg. They are not too active by nature, they hatch chicks perfectly, they feed easily.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

    • Rhode Island. Bred in the USA, they have average size parameters, weight – from 2,6 to 3,8 kg. Egg laying per year is high. Sexual maturity occurs after six months.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

    • Mini chickens. Very common in the UK, France, quite popular in other countries, including ours. Color white, red, fawn. More meat than egg type, such chickens are compact, limbs are shortened, the comb is in the form of a leaf. A very calm breed.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

    • Australia. They were bred in Australia, but have already spread throughout the world. They have a large size, weight – from 2,6 to 4 kg, high egg laying – up to 220 per year.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

    • Amrox. A product of American breeding work, they are medium in size, weight – from 2,5 to 4,3 kg, depending on gender. Egg laying – up to 200 pcs. annually, egg weight – up to 60 g.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

    • Velzumer. Quite a rare species, bred by Dutch breeders. Carcass weight varies from 2 to 3,5 kg, but egg production is not too high – up to 130 pcs. per year, while the eggs are large.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

    • Zagorskaya salmon. Bred in Russia in the middle of the 4,5th century, the birds of this breed are large in size, weight – up to 280 kg, egg production is simply incredible – up to 5 pieces annually. The color is unusual, in males – gray-black, in females – creamy pink. They gain weight very quickly and are prone to obesity, they should not be overfed. The eggs of this breed are large, brown, and first appear in a young female at XNUMX months.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

    • Kyrgyz grey. The breed was named after the country where it was bred, the body weight of these birds is an average of 3 kg, the laying of eggs annually is up to 170 pieces. They have a very high survival and fertility rate.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

    • Kotlyarevskaya. Bred in Kabardino-Balkaria. Body weight – from 2,5 to 4 kg, egg production is slightly below average – from 140 pieces annually. Sexual maturity after six months.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

    • Golosheynaya. Very popular in many European countries and in the CIS, where and by whom it was bred has not been established. Egg production – an average of 170 pieces per year, bird weight – from 2 to 3,5 kg.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

    • California. Breed of American origin, has a peaceful disposition. Not very common in our country, but still bred on a farmstead. Weight – from 2 to 3,5 kg, depending on gender, egg production is excellent – up to 240 pieces per year.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

    • Appenceller. The Swiss is quite an ancient breed, today it is extremely rare. Chickens have a spectacular plumage of speckled colors. The weight is not very large – from 1,8 to 2,2 kg, egg production is also low – from 120 pcs.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

Most productive options

In order to breed chickens that lay a lot of eggs and at the same time have good meat quality, you need to find out which breeds are most recommended by experts for keeping, evaluate the pros and cons of each type. We offer you a list of universal varieties that are undemanding in care and feeding. It should be noted that almost all of the presented species have lost the instinct of incubation in the selection process, so buying an incubator is a necessity.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

Rhode Island

It is considered one of the most productive and profitable breeds. External features:

    • black tail, red feathers on the body;
    • shortened limbs;
    • the back is level, the head is compact.

It breeds well in any climatic conditions, endures frosts, egg production in winter remains at a high level. It is thanks to its strength and endurance that the breed is so popular in different countries, the survival rate is very high.

The breed is unpretentious in food, body weight increases quite quickly.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

Kuchinskaya Anniversary

Incredibly hardy, frost-resistant, thanks to the long breeding, which is still being worked on. Productivity is rated as very high. The main advantage of the breed is strong immunity, birds are almost not susceptible to diseases. They begin to rush after six months of age. Egg production is very high – more than 240 pcs. per year, in winter it remains at the same level, only during molting it can slightly decrease for a couple of weeks. Feeding this breed does not cause difficulties, they eat combined feeds, grain mixtures, greens. External features:

    • feathers of a golden hue, with gray underfur, males have a red and black tail;
    • the body is strong, proportional;
    • the head is compact;
    • beak is yellow.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

A distinctive feature of this breed is the unlost instinct of the mother hen.

Plymouth

This is an American variety of chickens, but there is also an English line. The first was bred in the 180th century, but became incredibly popular only at the beginning of the 5th. There are practically none in Russia now, at the beginning of the XNUMXs they were no longer bred, so there may be problems with the acquisition. Americans and British are different in weight, size, plumage. In order for productivity indicators to be high, it is necessary to organize a large poultry house, to prevent temperature drops. Egg production at the level of XNUMX pieces per year, sexual maturity occurs after XNUMX months.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

Moscow

There may be black and white subspecies. Carcass weight – from 2,5 to 3,5 kg. External features:

    • large head;
    • broad, but sunken chest;
    • shortened neck.

Sexual maturity occurs at the age of six months, egg production gradually increases to 200 pcs. per year, the size of the eggs is average. The taste of meat is considered very good, at the level of valuable breeds. Most often, it is this parameter that is taken into account by poultry houses choosing this variety. In care, they are undemanding, they grow well on combined feeds, grass, grain, and vegetables.

The white Moscow has lost the instinct of a mother hen, while the black hatches chicks. The eggs of the white variety are two-yolk.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

new hampshire

A universal variety of American origin, which has received the widest distribution throughout the world. The positive qualities of the breed: unpretentiousness, endurance, good productivity and excellent immunity, brought her great popularity among poultry houses. External features:

    • feathers are red, bright, in males the tail is green;
    • the body is large, strong;
    • limbs are powerful, yellow;
    • wide chest.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

Egg production is very early – from 3 months, annually the number of eggs reaches 200 pieces, each weighing about 60 grams. Egg laying begins to decline after two years of age.

It is necessary to rejuvenate the livestock regularly, which is evidenced by a high percentage of survival.

Faverolles

A French breed, bred in the XNUMXth century, its decorative qualities are highly valued. External features:

    • the head is small, flat;
    • the beak is shortened, the crest is low;
    • neck with lush mane-like feathers;
    • the body is compact, elongated.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

There are several subspecies of the breed, which are distinguished by suit:

    • blue
    • silver;
    • salmon.

Despite the versatility, the biggest plus of the breed is delicious and very tender meat.

As for egg production, the maximum number per year is 180 pieces, and then only in the first year. They do not tolerate high humidity, they need a lot of space.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

Adler silver

This is one of the most popular breeds in Russia. Their advantages are endurance and stamina, they perfectly adapt to the most severe conditions. The egg-laying period is large – up to 4 years. External features:

    • average body size;
    • well developed muscles;
    • oblong body, sunken chest, back in a straight line;
    • dense feathers;
    • white coat and black tail.

Sexual maturity is early – at 4 months the first eggs appear, but the hens are not yet sufficiently developed by this age, therefore, until the age of 6 months, the male is kept separately and the size of the feed is reduced. Egg production is good – more than 200 pieces per year.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

Orpington

This English variety is often recommended by poultry farmers. She was taken out for a very long time. External features of the breed:

    • the body is square in shape, quite powerful;
    • the shoulder girdle is wide;
    • limbs are shortened;
    • color can be different, while productivity is equally high.

Meat is of particular value, more precisely, its taste and quality. Obesity is a problem of this breed, they cannot be overfed, otherwise egg production drops. It is recommended to maintain a diet before the winter period. The number of eggs per year is up to 170 pieces, in the second year it will decrease. Therefore, updating the livestock must be carried out every couple of years.

The incubation instinct is not lost – this is a big plus for the breed.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

How to choose chickens?

Regardless of whether you are planning to purchase chickens for personal or business purposes, it is important to contact trusted breeders or poultry farms in Russia. Buying birds from the hands is quite dangerous. In any case, it is necessary to analyze the seller’s feedback before contacting. The appearance of the laying hen, male and chicks should be assessed. They should be beautiful, well-groomed, healthy in appearance.

Day-old chicks are cheaper, but the mortality among them is quite high, it is better to opt for grown-up individuals.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

Be sure to pay attention to the following nuances:

    • chicks should be active, mobile, not sit still, not be lethargic;
    • feel the abdomen for swelling, check for bleeding, suppuration;
    • the look of the bird should be lively and clear;
    • the reaction to the sound will make it possible to assess the health of the individual, so put the chicken in a box and knock on it, he should immediately run to the sound;
    • find out in what conditions the birds are kept, what is the composition of their feed, diet, vaccinations – if they are not done, the risk of mortality increases;
    • too low a price is a reason to think, because breeders never work at a loss, so they can sell illiquid assets;
    • for breeding, chickens of both sexes are purchased.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

Content Rules

Universal varieties are bred both for the purpose of obtaining eggs and for the purpose of obtaining meat. Many breeds have their own characteristics: some of them are more hardy, some do not tolerate drafts of high humidity. Therefore, before purchasing chickens of a particular breed, one should evaluate their individual characteristics. First of all, this is the need for warming the house, the features of feeding, whether the instinct of incubation is developed or the purchase of an incubator is required.

Universal chickens are practically omnivorous, so it is cost-effective to keep them. The main menu should consist of:

    • grain mixtures;
    • tops, herbs, greens;
    • vegetables, fruits.

It is necessary to include mineral-vitamin complexes in the diet. If the birds are underfed, egg production will drop significantly. Metabolism in chickens of universal breeds is quite good, but some species are still prone to obesity, this must also be taken into account.

Breeds of chickens for meat and eggs

It is very important to observe the proportions of the number of birds per square meter – many breeds prefer space. Financial investments in the breeding of such birds are small, and the profitability is high. Given their unpretentiousness, calm disposition, we can say that keeping meat and egg chickens is considered the best type of poultry breeding.

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Anna Evans

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