Best Meat Chickens for Homesteading

Before you add meat chickens for homesteading, make sure that it’s a breed that provides you with exactly what you’re looking for.

Each breed of chickens is entirely different from one another. Some are more vocal than others, while certain breeds don’t take too kindly to children.

And if you’re raising them primarily for their meat, you don’t want to end up with a small breed that doesn’t do a whole lot for you.

These are things to consider when choosing the right meat chickens for homesteading and also a handful of the best breeds to choose from.

Temperament

Some breeds of chicken are friendlier while some are known to be rather aggressive. If you have children that will be helping you raise the birds, it’s important that you choose a breed that has a calmer temperament.

Taste

Most people can’t tell the difference in taste between one chicken breed from another, but there is a slightly different taste to each of them. While the meat’s flavor mostly depends on their diet, the type of chicken can play a role in taste. Some people notice that the chicken breed Red Rangers has a sweeter taste than Cornish Cross Broilers.

Size

Chickens come in all different shapes and sizes. If your desire is to go with a bigger bird that can provide more meat for your family, be sure to stay away from the smaller breeds and go with one that is known to produce larger chickens.

Egg Production

If you’re interested in chickens that not only provide you with meat but also ones that lay eggs, a dual-purpose breed is what you’re looking for.

Growth Rate

There are chicken breeds that grow much quicker than others, so if you prefer harvesting your flock sooner rather than later, you’ll need to choose a breed that’s known for its fast growth rate.

Top Meat Chicken Breeds for Homesteading to Choose From

1. Big Red Broilers

Big Red Broilers are great to have on a pasture because they are considered excellent foragers. This means that they will require less feed from you. While they do lay brown eggs, this breed isn’t an ideal choice if reproduction is part of what you’re looking for.

Average Mature Weight: about 7 to 10 pounds (after processing; about 3 to 8 pounds)

Age of Maturity: about 12 weeks

Pros:

A lot of meat without health issues
Good flavor
Mature quickly
Do well foraging on their own

Cons:

Not a good breed for reproduction
Inconsistent growth rates between genders at harvesting (hens are much smaller than roosters)
They mature a bit slower than the CornishX

2. Bresse

For those of you that plan on a helping hand from your children when it comes to raising your chickens, this next breed may be a great option for you. While the Bresse is traditionally from France, you can still find the American Bresse at a number of US hatcheries across the country. They typically lay between 4 and 5 eggs a week and have a calm temperament about them.

Average Mature Weight: 5 to 8 pounds (3 to 6 pounds after processing)

Age of Maturity: about 16 to 18 weeks

Pros:

Delicate, yet flavorful meat
Efficient egg laying
Calm temperament

Cons:

Slower growth rate than the CornishX or Big Red Broilers
Not well-known for their foraging abilities
Require a special diet

3. Buckeye

Another great duel-purpose chicken breed to consider is the buckeye. They are known to raise their own chicks and also handle rough colder conditions. They do well as free-range birds that foliage for their own food.

Average Mature Weight: between 6 to 9 pounds

Age of Maturity: around 16 to 21 weeks

Pros:

Excellent foragers
Adapt well to harsher climates
Protective instincts for the flock
Gentle

Cons:

Take longer to mature
A more vocal breed
Seem to take longer to lay their eggs than many other breeds

4. Delaware

The Delaware breed is known for its fast growth rate, and they also mature very early. Hens are known to lay eggs well with good production numbers.

Average Mature Weight: about 6 pounds (after processing; 2 to 4 pounds)

Age of Maturity: as quickly as 8 to 10 weeks

Pros:

Great meat taste
Good egg production in hens
Matures quickly
Forage well

Cons:

Smaller size compared to some other breeds

5. Giant Jersey Blacks

The Giant Jersey Black is a heritage breed that is known for their large size and delicious taste. They mature at a slower rate, but they also have an improved flavor and texture than some of the quicker growing breeds. You’ll get big birds with this breed!

Largest Chicken Breeds

Average Mature Weight: about 10 to 12 pounds

Age of Maturity: about 24 weeks

Pros:

Large size
Delicious taste
Good foragers
Consistent growth rates between genders

Cons:

Slower growth rate than some other breeds
Less well-known breed with limited availability at hatcheries

6. Cornish Cross Broilers

One of the most common meat chicken breeds, Cornish Cross Broilers are known for their fast growth rate and large size. They tend to have a milder flavor compared to some of the heritage breeds, but they also require less feed as they mature quickly.

Average Mature Weight: about 8 to 12 pounds (4 to 6 pounds after processing)

Age of Maturity: about 8 weeks

Pros:

Fast growth rate
Large size
Mild flavor

Cons:

Not great foragers
Less flavor compared to heritage breeds
Higher risk of health issues such as leg deformities or heart problems

7. Freedom Rangers

If you’re looking for a breed that excels at foraging and has a great flavor, the Freedom Ranger could be a good option. This breed is also known as the Red Ranger and they are known to have excellent meat characteristics while still being able to lay eggs.

Average Mature Weight: about 8 pounds (3-4 pounds after processing)

Age of Maturity: about 12 weeks

Pros:

Excellent foragers
Good flavor
Can also lay eggs
Consistency in growth rates between genders

Cons:

Slower growth rate than some other breeds
Less well-known breed with limited availability at hatcheries

More on Chickens:

Ultimately, the best meat chickens for homesteading will depend on your personal preferences and needs. Take into consideration the above factors before making your decision!

Best Meat Chickens for Homesteading