To breed chickens for meat, select fast-growing broiler breeds, provide a balanced diet, ensure proper housing, and maintain optimal health and hygiene conditions.
Raising chickens for meat requires different strategies than egg production. Whether you want tender Cornish Cross or flavorful heritage breeds, proper breeding and care ensures quality meat for your table.
Choosing the Right Meat Chicken Breeds
Not all chickens produce good meat. Focus on these top performers:
Cornish Cross (Broilers)
- Reach slaughter weight in 6-8 weeks
- Produce large breast portions
- Require high-protein feed (22-24%)
- Cannot reproduce naturally
Heritage Dual-Purpose Breeds
| Breed | Slaughter Age | Meat Type |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Red | 16-20 weeks | Balanced dark/white |
| Plymouth Rock | 18-22 weeks | Dark meat favored |
| Orpington | 20-24 weeks | Juicy, flavorful |
For sustainable breeding, heritage breeds work best. Learn more about Rhode Island Red lifespans if considering this breed.
Setting Up Your Breeding Program
Selecting Breeding Stock
- Choose healthy, active birds at 6-8 months old
- Maintain 1 rooster per 8-10 hens
- Select for desired traits: growth rate, conformation
Housing Requirements
Meat birds need:
- 4 sq ft per bird indoors
- 10 sq ft per bird in runs
- Proper ventilation to prevent respiratory issues
See our guide on coop sizing for 10 chickens for specific measurements.
Feeding for Optimal Growth
Broiler Feeding Schedule
- Starter feed (22-24% protein) for weeks 1-3
- Grower feed (20% protein) for weeks 4-6
- Finisher feed (18% protein) until slaughter
Supplemental Nutrition
Add these for health and flavor:
- Oyster shell for calcium
- Grit for digestion
- Fresh greens for vitamins
Processing Your Meat Chickens
When to Butcher
- Cornish Cross: 6-8 weeks (5-7 lbs)
- Heritage breeds: 16-24 weeks
Processing Methods
Two main approaches:
- Home processing (requires equipment and skill)
- Mobile processing units (available in some areas)
For beginners, Mother Earth News offers excellent processing tutorials.
Common Challenges in Meat Chicken Breeding
Health Issues
Watch for:
- Leg problems from rapid growth
- Respiratory infections
- Heat stress in summer
Predator Protection
Secure housing is essential. Consider:
- Hardware cloth instead of chicken wire
- Automatic coop doors
- Guard animals
The Penn State Extension provides excellent resources on commercial-scale meat production.
Marketing Your Meat Chickens
Direct Sales Options
- Farmers markets
- CSA shares
- On-farm sales
Pricing Considerations
Factors affecting price:
- Feed costs
- Processing fees
- Organic certification
- Local market demand
Meat chicken breeding requires careful planning but rewards with quality homegrown protein. Whether raising fast-growing broilers or maintaining a heritage breeding flock, proper management ensures success.