Dual-purpose chicken breeds are highly valued for their ability to lay a substantial number of eggs while also providing a good amount of meat. In this article, we’ll discuss the top 10 dual-purpose chicken breeds that excel in both egg production and meat quality.
To make things even more interesting, I had the opportunity to reach out to a group of 26,000 chicken enthusiasts who generously shared their thoughts on their favorite dual-purpose breed for this article. Keep reading to discover the fascinating details of the poll!
Let’s dive in and explore the top ten dual-purpose chicken breeds together!
1. Buff Orpington
Attributes:
- 150-200 Large Brown Eggs Per Year
- Hens weighing 6-8 lbs.
- Roosters weighing 8-10 lbs.
Orpingtons come in a variety of colors, including black, blue, buff, and white. Orpingtons are also known for their docile and friendly nature. I could always come closer to picking up Orpingtons over any other breed.
During my poll on which breed is best for dual-purpose, the buff orpington received 36% of the votes! This was the most popular dual-purpose breed by far amongst my fellow chicken farmers.
If you’re looking for a breed of chicken to raise their young, look no further, Orpingtons are known as one of the most broody breeds around. If you’d like to learn more about Orpingtons, check out my Orpington Article.
2. Wyandotte
Attributes:
- Averages 210 Large Brown Eggs Per Year
- Hens weighing 6 lbs.
- Roosters weighing 9 lbs.
Wyandottes are a breed of chicken that originated in the United States in the 1870s. They are a medium-sized, dual-purpose breed that is known for its friendly and docile temperament.
Wyandottes come in a variety of colors, including silver, gold, blue, and black, and have a distinctive pattern of feathers that gives them a laced appearance. They are a hardy breed that can adapt well to different climates and are known for their ability to lay large, brown eggs consistently throughout the year.
Coming in second in the poll, the Wyandotte received 18% of the votes!
Wyandottes are not only fantastic for their dual-purpose characteristics, but they also rank high on my list of the friendliest chicken breeds. Here’s a comment from a lady who shared her experience with her Wyandotte.
This article was originally published on farmapt.com. If it is now published on any other site, it was done without permission from the copyright owner.
3. Black Australorp
Attributes:
- 250-300 Large Brown Eggs Per Year
- Hens weighing 5-7 lbs.
- Roosters weighing 7-9 lbs.
Australorps are a breed of chicken that originated in Australia and are known for their black feathers with a greenish-purple sheen. They are also known for being docile and friendly, making them a popular choice for backyard chicken keepers. If you’re interested in seeing a complete guide to Australorps, check out my Australorp Guide!
Australorps actually hold the world record for the most eggs in a single year! In 1922, an Australorp hen named “Molly” laid 364 eggs in 365 days, a remarkable achievement for any breed of chicken.
The Black Australorp came in third in the poll with 12% of the vote!
The Australorps actually made the top 5 breeds for hot weather, check that article out here: The Top 5 Chicken Breeds for Hot Weather.
4. Rhode Island Red
Attributes:
- 250-300 Large Brown Eggs Per Year
- Hens weighing 6.5 lbs.
- Roosters weighing 8.5 lbs.
Rhode Island Red chickens are known for their deep, rich, mahogany-colored feathers, which can appear almost black in certain lighting conditions. Rhode Island Reds are one of the most prolific egg-laying breeds that you will find! Not many hens lay 300 eggs per year!
The Rhode Island Red came in 4th in the poll with 11% of the vote!
This breed is very popular amongst the 4H, as I raised a few hundred of them myself this way. I learned quite a bit in the process, if you’d like to check out my Rhode Island Red Article, go for it!
5. Delaware
Attributes:
- 175-250 Large Brown Eggs Per Year
- Hens weighing 5-7 lbs.
- Roosters weighing 7-9 lbs.
The Delaware chicken breed originated in the United States, specifically in the state of Delaware. It was developed in the early 20th century by crossing Barred Plymouth Rocks and New Hampshire Reds.
Delaware chickens have distinctive white feathers with black barring on their necks and tails and look very similar to the Sussex Chicken breed.
The Delaware tied for 5th with two other chicken breeds coming in at 5% of the votes!
6. Plymouth Rock
Attributes:
- 200-300 Large Brown Eggs Per Year
- Hens weighing 7-8 lbs.
- Roosters weighing 9-10 lbs.
Plymouth Rocks, also known as Barred Rocks, have a distinctive barred pattern on their feathers, with black and white stripes running vertically down their body.
Plymouth Rocks were first crossbred in the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts in the 19th century (Which is how they got their name!). As far as Plymouth Rocks go, they can survive even the harshest of weathers, to learn how, check out my article on “Are Plymouth Rocks Cold Hardy?“.
The Plymouth Rock tied for 5th with two other chicken breeds, coming in at 5% of the votes!
7. Brahma
Attributes:
- 200 Medium-Large Brown Eggs Per Year
- Hens weighing 8-10 lbs.
- Roosters weighing 10-12 lbs.
Brahmas are a breed of chicken that originated in the United States in the mid-1800s and quickly became a popular breed due to their large size, friendly temperament, and good meat production.
Brahmas are a large, heavy breed with a distinctive appearance, characterized by their feathered feet and legs, and a large, upright comb. They come in a variety of colors, including light, dark, and buff, and are known for their docile and friendly nature.
In addition to their friendly temperament and good meat production, Brahmas are also hardy and adaptable, making them well-suited for a variety of climates. Overall, Brahmas are a great choice for those looking for a friendly and productive breed of chicken that is also hardy and easy to care for.
The Brahma tied for 5th with two other chicken breeds, coming in at 5% of the votes!
Brahmas also made the list of the best 10 chicken breeds for cold climates. If you’d like to know more about which other breeds made the list, check out the 10 Best Chicken Breeds for Cold Climates article!
8. Speckled Sussex
Attributes:
- 250-300 Large Brown Eggs Per Year
- Hens weighing 6-7 lbs.
- Roosters weighing 8-9 lbs.
Sussex chickens have distinctive white, speckled, or red-colored plumage, and a medium-sized, rose-shaped comb. Speckled Sussex chickens are known to be very friendly and docile. Another trait to consider about Sussexes is that they tend to go broody more often than the average breed.
A fun fact about Sussex chickens is that they are believed to be the first bred chickens in Britain around AD 43, making them one of the oldest known breeds!
Although Sussexes only received 1% of the vote, they are still an excellent Dual-Purpose Breed!
9. Dominique
Attributes:
- 230-275 Medium-Large Brown Eggs Per Year
- Hens weighing 5 lbs.
- Roosters weighing 6-7 lbs.
The Dominique chicken, also known as the Dominicker or Pilgrim Fowl, is one of the oldest American chicken breeds, tracing its roots back to the 18th century. The Dominique chicken was prevalent during the colonial era and was highly valued for its adaptability, versatility, and ability to thrive in various climates.
It’s very easy to get the Dominique and Barred Rock confused, if you’d like to know all the subtle differences, check out my Barred Plymouth Rock vs Dominique article!
Although Dominique only received 1% of the vote, they are still an excellent Dual-Purpose Breed! Laying up to 275 eggs a year is a great number of eggs for any breed!
10. Jersey Giant
Attributes:
- 150-200 Large Brown Eggs Per Year
- Hens weighing 11 lbs.
- Roosters weighing 13-15 lbs.
Jersey Giants are a breed of chicken that originated in the United States in the late 1800s in Burlington County, New Jersey (which is how they got their names!). They are a large, dual-purpose breed known for their friendly and docile temperament. Jersey Giants are one of the largest breeds of chicken, with roosters weighing up to 13 pounds and hens weighing up to 10 pounds.
They come in only one color, black, and are known for their shiny feathers and upright posture.
In addition to their friendly demeanor and good egg production, Jersey Giants are also hardy and adaptable, making them well-suited for a variety of climates. They are also easy to care for and make excellent pets, with many owners reporting that their Jersey Giants are gentle and enjoy being handled. Overall, Jersey Giants are a great choice for those looking for a friendly and productive breed of chicken that is also a unique and impressive addition to their backyard flock.
Jersey Giants only received 1% of the votes in the poll and I was shocked at this. This chicken breed is HUGE and lays plenty of eggs. I really figured they’d get more votes. Jersey Giants will always make my top 10 list for dual-purpose.
The Bielefelder
Attributes:
- Around 230 Large Brown Eggs Per Year
- Hens weighing 10 lbs.
- Roosters weighing 12 lbs.
Whilst doing my poll, I made it to where anybody could add a breed if their breed wasn’t listed. A breed called the Bielefelder was quickly added and received 6% of the votes!
I can certainly see why this breed was added. Laying up to 230 eggs per year while both hen and rooster topping 10 lbs. This seems like an excellent breed for dual-purpose chicken farming!