2. Jersey Giant
The Jersey Giants are purebred and weigh around 11-13 pounds (5-6 Kgs) on an average.
However, these Giants grow at a slower pace than similar breeds of Broilers. They also need large amounts of time and food, which can really add up if you do not grow your own feed. This makes them quite unacceptable in the commercial meat world but a very hot product in backyard chicken coups.
These chickens are calm and docile by nature while the male Giants are considered slightly aggressive. The Jersey Giants also lay extra large brown eggs. Which means that you can use them as an egg hen while you are waiting for them to reach their peak.
This breed comes in black, white and blue colors.
| Weight (male) | 13 lbs |
| Weight (female) | 10 lbs |
| Harvest time | 16-21Â weeks |
| Pros & cons | Large Slow growth |
| Variants | Blue, black, white |
3. Bresse
They have bright blue feet and are very expensive and popular breed. Do not let the price of these birds trick you into keeping your distance. Once you have your breeding pairs, the only expense you will have is the food necessary to raise your chickens.
The Bresse is famous for being the best meat tasting chickens in the world and also for their tenderness. These chickens can be of white, black, grey and blue colors.
| Weight (male) | 7 lbs |
| Weight (female) | 5 lbs |
| Harvest time | 16-20Â weeks |
| Pros & cons | Docile
Taste great Not too meaty |
| Variants | White, black, grey, blue |
4. Orpington
While they’re not too big and grow at a slower rate, Orpingtons are great layers. They can lay up to 200 eggs per year.
| Weight (male) | 10 lbs |
| Weight (female) | 8 lbs |
| Harvest time | 18-24 weeks |
| Pros & cons | Great egg layer
Docile Slow growth |
| Variants | Buff, black, blue, white |
5. Freedom Rangers
They were specifically bred for the pesticide-free meat market. These chickens flourish on low-protein feeds and are better at food scouting than the Cornish Crosses. This makes them perfect chickens to roam around in a large pen.
It also makes them versatile eaters.
They can survive off of field bugs and corn feed and be perfectly healthy birds for eating. These chickens are mostly found in colors of red with several barred or spotted black feathers but can also be found in shades of bronze and grey.
However, these chickens take a longer time before they are ready for the slaughterhouse, especially when they are compared to the Cornish Broilers.
Even though they take longer to raise than other breeds, there are a lot of people who relish the taste of Freedom Rangers more.
| Weight (male) | 6 lbs |
| Weight (female) | 5 lbs |
| Harvest time | 9-11 weeks |
| Pros & cons | Great for free range
Easy to keep Smaller and slower growth rate |
| Variants | Red, tricolor, black |
