Large chicken breeds: descriptions of the 14 largest species, keeping rules

Today there are many large breeds of chickens, each of which is characterized by certain characteristics. All of them belong to the meat direction and differ in impressive sizes. In order to achieve success in growing chickens, it is important to choose the right breed of birds and provide them with high-quality and complete care. It must be comprehensive.

The purpose of breeding large breeds

The main purpose of growing such chickens is to obtain quality meat. It is highly nutritious and contains many proteins that are easy to digest. Also in the composition there are many valuable components.

The meat of such chickens is used as the basis of a dietary diet and is widely used in cooking. In addition, there are rare breeds. They are grown in breeding farms and stored in gene pools.

Main advantages and disadvantages

The key advantages of large chickens include the following:

delicacy meat considered dietary;
strong immunity - a long period of selection made it possible to obtain he althy chickens that are unpretentious and adapt well to external factors;
unlimited reproduction - this is possible if there are several unrelated lines and the characteristics of the breed are preserved.

At the same time, chickens also have certain disadvantages:

late maturation period - chickens give eggs only at 7-8 months, and gain maximum weight after 1 year;
low egg productivity - such breeds bring no more than 120 eggs per year;
prone to obesity.

Popular breeds

Big chickens belong to the meat direction. With proper care of birds, it will be possible to achieve good results in raising birds and get a lot of dietary meat.

Brahma

This is one of the most popular varieties. Birds are undemanding to care and give a lot of meat. They also lay a lot of eggs. Bright feathers are considered a characteristic feature. They are light, partridge or dark.

The bird structure is considered knocked down. Their vest is determined by color. Light chickens reach 5 kilograms, dark ones - 7. Laying hens bring 130 eggs weighing 60 grams per year. Ripening occurs late - at 9-10 months.

Cochinchins

This breed is considered giant. Birds in many ways resemble the Brahma breed. They provide tasty soft meat and he althy eggs. Feathers are undemanding to care and are resistant to severe frosts. Birds are characterized by a calm nature.

Roosters are distinguished by their large size and massive body. The color is different - blue, fawn, white. In this case, black plumage is considered the most popular option. Roosters reach 4.5 kilograms, hens weigh 4. They give the first eggs at 8-9 months. Birds bring no more than 125 birds a year.

Jersey Giant

This is a young breed that was bred in America. It is characterized by rapid growth. Already in the first year of life, a rooster can reach 5 kilograms. In total, it weighs 6 kilograms. Laying hens grow up to 5 kilograms. They produce 190 eggs a year.

Langshan

This is a popular breed that has become widespread. Today there are standards for these chickens, which differ in terms of productivity, feather color, and external features.

Meat breeds are characterized by the following features:

Adult birds weigh 3-4.5 kilograms. In rare cases, roosters grow up to 5.5 kilograms.
Birds are characterized by a V-shaped body, strong build and thick feathers.
Meat has an amazing taste. It is often used in expensive establishments.

Hungarian Giant

This breed is very popular in the world. It differs in external features. Birds are characterized by bright red feathers. They are distinguished by well-developed thermoregulation. This allows birds to easily adapt to climate change.

Average weight reaches 4-5 kilograms. However, there are also record holders who are almost twice as high as the indicated norms.

In addition, this breed is characterized by high egg production parameters, which reach 300 eggs per year. They are characterized by large sizes and weigh 70 grams. Because chickens of this breed are often bred on a large scale. The undoubted advantages are the presence of the instinct of incubation and excellent immunity.

Dorking

These birds are world famous. Roman chickens are considered their ancestors, from which they managed to inherit a tendency to rapid development.

Chickens of this breed are characterized by different colors. At the same time, gray-golden shades are most widespread. They are characterized by a black and white mane, a golden belly and a gray back.

Females weigh 3.5-4 kilograms, males - 5. At the same time, birds do not show high egg production rates. Stress factors, dietary disturbances, adverse external conditions lead to a decrease in the number of eggs.

Sasso - colored broiler

This is a hybrid breed that was bred by French scientists. Sasso is characterized by fighting roots, and this is noticeable in her appearance. There are a number of subspecies that differ in different feather colors and low productivity.

Birds can weigh up to 5 kilograms. They are distinguished by stable egg production. In a year, birds bring up to 120 eggs. At the same time, their cultivation will require a lot of time and effort. Despite the omnivorous nature, birds need a certain mode of food consumption. As a result, they develop better. Slaughter is carried out already at 2 months.

Mechelen cuckoo, or Malin

The name of this breed is due to the original color of the feathers. The birds were bred in Belgium as early as the 19th century. These birds are characterized by a number of features:

Low body and short legs with thick feathers. The torso is distinguished by powerful muscles and rounded shapes.
Attractive coloration. Feathers are covered with beautiful gray-white stripes. The result is a striped coat.
Changeable disposition. Usually laying hens are friendly. However, sometimes they do aggressive things.
High body weight. It reaches 4.5-5.5 kilograms. At the same time, birds produce 130 eggs per year and are rapidly developing.

Bress Galskaya

This well-known breed is characterized by excellent taste of meat. It was taken out in the middle of the 20th century. At the same time, the breed received official recognition in 1957.

Females weigh 3.5 kilograms, while males can reach 5 kilograms. The birds have a characteristic body type for broilers, which is why novice farmers often mistake them for hybrids.

Birds are distinguished by their white feathers. Blue paws are considered their feature. Laying hens give a lot of eggs - 250 pieces per year. Each of them weighs 85 grams. Another advantage of the breed is considered a calm character.

Cornish

Many broiler hybrids have been bred from this breed. Chickens are characterized by widely spaced legs and a square body with pronounced muscles. Birds are fast growing. Adults weigh 3.5-4 kilograms.

Laying hens are characterized by a developed incubation instinct. They take good care of the chickens. However, sometimes birds are able to show fighting qualities.

Little John

This is a playful nickname given to the pet by the owner. The cockerel lived in England and belonged to the Brahma breed. The bird has grown to 66 centimeters. According to the owner, these results were achieved thanks to a special love for popcorn.

Big Snow

This rooster is a rare breed of Whitesully chicken. He lived in Australia and became a real champion. A special body recorded his weight in 1992. The average weight of the breed did not exceed 10 kilograms. At the same time, Big Snow weighed 10.36 kilograms.

Orpington

These birds were named after the town in which they were bred. Feathers are distinguished by black and white color. Their feathers should not contain yellowness. Roosters of this species can reach 5 kilograms. Representatives weighing 7 kilograms were recorded.

Laying hens weigh 3-4 kilograms. For 1 year they give 185 eggs weighing 60-63 grams. Young birds do not develop very quickly and require careful care.

Master Gray

Birds of this breed are valued for their meat and eggs. Feathers are distinguished by gray plumage. Around the neck there is a dark gray band resembling a necklace. The back and belly are light gray, while the comb and wattles are bright red.

Birds are characterized by a strong body and massive legs. They differ in developed muscles. In six months, hens grow up to 4 kilograms, roosters - up to 7. Under favorable conditions, birds give up to 300 eggs a year.

Which is better to choose?

When choosing a breed, consider the following features:

average bird weight;
appearance of birds;
egg production;
ripening dates.

Features of keeping and feeding large breed chickens

Growing large chickens is easy. In this case, it is worth considering certain features:

Organize a spacious paddock. A tall fence is not required as chickens do not fly.
Establish nests and perches at a maximum height of 50 centimeters. If this is not possible, it is worth putting additional ramps.
Control the laying process. Laying hens are capable of crushing or discarding eggs.
Establish a clear feeding regimen. Many breeds are prone to obesity.

Today, many breeds of large chickens are known, which differ in certain characteristics. Such birds belong to the meat direction.

To achieve good results in raising birds, it is worth organizing the chicken coop properly and establishing a feeding regime.