10 Dual Purpose Chicken Breeds for Eggs and Meat

Nothing pleases a chicken raiser than knowing they are raising chickens that can produce quality eggs and meat. No wonder dual-purpose chickens are becoming popular each day. If you want a chicken breed that can supply you with eggs and meat, it would be prudent to go for a dual-purpose breed.

With many dual-purpose species worldwide, choosing the best breed to provide you with eggs and meat can be confusing. These are the top ten dual-purpose chicken breeds to raise for eggs and meat.

Australorp Chickens

Australorp chickens are some of the finest dual-purpose chickens, with good reasons. These chickens are excellent layers, capable of producing over 300 large eggs yearly. Australorp chickens come in white and blue color variations. An Australorp hen will remain a laying machine for the rest of her productive years.

Australorp chickens also score well in meat production. These reasonably large birds can weigh 10 pounds for roosters and six pounds for hens. This weight is enough to make these chickens incredible meat producers.

Furthermore, Australorp chickens produce tastier meat than most chickens we raise for meat production. Because Australorp chickens are hardy, they will continue providing you with eggs and meat for several years.

The chickens are friendly and docile, notwithstanding their massive size. They also cope well with confinement, although they like to be in free range.

Rhode Island Red Chickens

Rhode Island Red chickens are some of the best layers of all the prolific egg-laying breeds. These chickens are capable of laying between 250 and 300 eggs yearly. They lay an average of between five and six light-brown eggs annually.

They aren’t broody like most egg-laying breeds, and they are hardy birds that continue laying during wintertime when egg production in laying breeds is at its lowest. These hardy chickens are less broody, and they make great mothers.

Rhode Island Red chickens are large and heavy birds, making them fabulous meat birds. Rhode Island Red chickens weigh approximately 8.5 pounds for roosters and 6.5 pounds for hens.

These docile and friendly birds have sweet and savory meat. Because of their weight and tasty meat, these chickens feature on many hotels’ menus.

Sussex Chickens

Sussex chickens are dual-purpose British chickens that chicken keepers raise for their quality eggs and meat. These chickens can lay at least 240 eggs annually. On average, Sussex hens can lay around four to five large brown eggs.

Egg production in these chickens can depend on diet quality, weather conditions, and hereditary disposition. Sussex chickens lay large brown eggs per week in their productive years. These chickens can continue laying in the chilly winter months.

Sussex chickens are also excellent meat birds. The average Sussex rooster weighs about 4.5 kg, while the hen weighs around 3.5 kg. Sussex chickens also mature fast and are ready for the table within months after hatching. They have pleasant-tasting meat compared to most table meat breeds.

Orpington Chickens

Orpington Chickens are a popular breed of chicken known for their docile and friendly behavior. Originally from England, Orpingtons are a large breed that comes in many different colors. They are good egg layers and make excellent pets.

Orpingtons are known for being calm chickens that enjoy human interaction and get along well with other chickens. If you are looking for a friendly and low-maintenance chicken, the Orpington is a great choice.

Orpington Chickens are medium-sized chickens that can weigh between 6 and 8 pounds (2.7-3.6 kg). They are known for being good egg layers, with most hens laying between 250 and 280 eggs per year. Orpingtons come in a variety of colors, including black, white, buff, and blue.

Wyandotte Chickens

Wyandotte chickens are beautiful and large chickens. These chickens look lovely because of their heavy feathers and solid appearance. Wyandotte chickens are among the most favorite American chicken breeds that have been popular since the end of the 1800s.

These good layers can lay approximately 200 light-brown medium-sized eggs annually. The average Wyandotte hen lays four eggs per week. Hens aren’t broody and can continue laying even in the winter months.

Although Wyandotte chickens have an easy-going personality and a docile demeanor, these chickens are also excellent for meat production. Their tasty, yellow-skinned meat makes most chicken raisers keep these chickens.

Male Wyandotte roosters can weigh between eight and nine lbs. Females weigh around six pounds to 7 pounds. Such a substantive weight makes Wyandotte chickens dependable meat birds.

Brahma Chickens

Brahma chickens are massive chickens, only comparable in size with Jersey Giants, among the largest chickens on the planet. Brahma chickens are gentle despite their enormous size and intimidating look. These chickens make excellent dual-purpose chickens. Hens lay between three and four eggs weekly.

Their eggs are brown and tasty and make wonderful delight, especially if you infuse them with several recipes. Brahma chickens lay medium-sized to large eggs. Brahma hens can lay in cold climates, unlike most egg-laying breeds that cease laying during wintertime. Hens aren’t broody and will continue laying even in freezing winter.

If you are searching for a chicken breed that can lay many eggs annually and produce enormous quantities of meat, let’s settle for the Brahma chicken. The standard Brahma chicken weighs around 12 lb. for roosters, while Brahma hens weigh about 9.9 lb.

The meat from a Brahma chicken, whether a hen or rooster, is quite tasty. Brahma chickens also mature fast and are always ready for slaughter when they are a couple of weeks old.

Plymouth Rock Chickens

The Plymouth Rock chickens are among the oldest chicken breeds in America. These chickens have been famous in America since the 19th century. These chickens are among the most raised chickens in America, thanks to their dual-purpose attributes. Besides their sweet and quickly tamable temperaments, these chickens can make fantastic additions to almost any backyard flocks.

Plymouth Rock chickens are ample layers that lay around four eggs weekly. Plymouth Rock chickens lay over 200 eggs yearly. These chickens are great layers because they can lay year-round, while other breeds usually cease laying during winter.

Thus, you can keep Plymouth Rock chickens if you want an excellent breed that will provide you with delicious eggs year-round. Plymouth Rock hens usually lay consistently for around three years, although egg production in Plymouth Rock hens starts declining after three years until the hens are too old to lay eggs.

Besides Plymouth Rock chickens being great layers, these birds are lovely table birds. The average Plymouth Rock chicken weighs between seven and eight lb., meaning Plymouth Rock chickens are large birds compared to other chicken breeds that we raise in our backyards and farms for meat.

Plymouth Rock chickens also have some of the tastiest meats of all chicken breeds. Plymouth Rock chickens mature relatively faster than other breeds. Hence, you can butcher these chickens when they are at least four weeks old.

Delaware Chickens

Delaware chickens come from Delaware state. Although these chickens are among the most critically endangered chicken breeds today, they make fantastic dual-purpose birds. These chickens are prolific layers, and they typically lay 280 eggs annually.

Delaware hens usually lay at least four large-sized brown eggs weekly. Delaware hens are pretty broody, and you might not get a constant supply of fresh brown eggs year-round if you keep Delaware chickens for eggs.

Delaware chickens aren’t only suitable for eggs. These chickens are terrific meat producers. They are among the fastest-maturing chicken breeds. Furthermore, Delaware chickens are hardy and healthy. Delaware chickens are relatively large, with roosters weighing approximately 8.5 pounds, while hens weigh about 6.5 pounds.

Naked Neck Chickens

Naked Neck chickens are unique chickens that have no feathers on their necks. Naked Neck chickens are extraordinary chickens for eggs and meat in hot climates. Besides being incredibly feed-efficient, Naked Neck chickens are reliable layers. These chickens lay a reasonable 180 eggs per year.

Naked Neck chickens are outstanding meat producers since they weigh more than other meat birds. Males weigh about 8.5 lb., while hens weigh around 6.5 lb. Naked Neck chickens are also hardy and disease-resistant.

Jersey Giant Chickens

The Jersey Giant is the largest American chicken breed. Jersey Giant chickens weigh between 13 and 15 pounds for roosters, while Jersey Giant hens weigh around 11 pounds. Their colossal weight and tasty meat make Jersey Giants terrific meat producers.

Besides their exceptional meat-producing capabilities, Jersey Giant chickens are dependable egg layers. These chickens usually lay between 150 and 200 eggs. Jersey Giant hens lay large-sized brown eggs. Hens are also not broody, so you will get many eggs before your hens start sitting on their eggs.

Conclusion

Dual-purpose chickens are worth keeping for anyone who wants quality chicken meat and eggs. Most dual-purpose chicken breeds are easy to maintain. Furthermore, they can continue giving you eggs and meat, even in their old age. Your job is to pick the right breed if you want to raise dual-purpose chickens.

avatar James
Hey, I'm James, a hardworking homesteader for more than 30 years. I enjoy the feeling of accomplishment that comes from tending my flock. I've raised chickens and ducks for eggs and meat for many years. I also have experience with other poultry too. Learn more

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