12 best breeds of laying hens from A to Z for home breeding for beginning poultry farmers

Laying hens are found in many courtyards of villages and villages. They are quite unpretentious and delight their owners with homemade eggs for almost a whole year.

However, before you get yourself such a bird, you need to find out which breed of chickens is the most egg-producing for home breeding.

To obtain food eggs, you should choose representatives of the egg direction. The peculiarity of such chickens is their small size, light bones, and most importantly, large and frequent eggs.

In our rating there are also representatives of the meat and egg direction, since they also have high egg production. The list is presented in alphabetical order with the main characteristics of each breed.

IMPORTANT: the peak of egg production occurs in the first 1-3 years of life, after which this figure gradually decreases.

PS. The article describes 10 purebred breeds and 2 crosses (Dominant and Loman Brown) - take this into account, dear readers.

Australorp

These chickens were bred in Australia, where they were very popular in the early and mid-19th century and were found on almost all farms. Black Orpingtons were used as the basis for their production.

Characteristic:

• Egg production (per year): 180-220 pcs. (55-65 g).
• Testicle color: brown.
• Laying hen weight: 2.8 kg.
• When they start laying eggs: 120-150 days.

Chickens have a high egg production. The color is black, in the sun it casts green. Blue and white/gray Australorps are also found. The comb is leaf-shaped, the earlobes are bright red. The bird rushes even in winter, but for this it needs additional lighting.

Ameraucana

The breed was created in 1976 by the American Poultry Association. To obtain them, tailless representatives of the Araucana breed were crossed with local egg-laying chickens. The result is a productive layer that produces blue eggs.

Peculiarities:

• Egg production (per year): 210-260 pcs. (60-65 g).
• Testicle color: blue.
• Laying hen weight: 2.6 kg.
• When they start laying eggs: 180-240 days.

A characteristic feature of the Ameraucana is the presence of sideburns and a goatee. The comb has the appearance of a pod; in chickens it is almost invisible. The tail is well feathered, unlike the related Araucana breed. Colors may vary.

INTERESTING! The color of the egg shell is necessarily blue. If it is pink, beige or white, the chickens are not Ameraucanas.

How does the fertilization process occur?

Chickens are living creatures that do not have a sexual organ. The process of reproduction occurs through the cloaca - an expanded fragment of the hindgut that opens outward through a small hole under the tail.

When a rooster impregnates a hen, his cloaca inverts and the gonads begin to release seed. The cloaca of the male and female meet, and the seed penetrates inside the female, remaining viable for up to three weeks. Eggs laid during this time period will be fertilized.

The chicken ovary looks like a bunch of grapes of different sizes, which are eggs. The size of the grape depends on what stage of development the egg is at. Every day, one egg matures in a laying hen, which, having shed its shell, is separated from the bunch and sent to the oviduct. From there it enters the cloaca, where the rooster's seed awaits it.

The direct connection of the sperm with the egg is characterized by the acrosomal reaction, when the thread emerging from the body of the sperm penetrates into the egg. The male reproductive cell penetrates the female, with only the head, which carries genetic data, getting inside, and the tail is separated.

About 20-60 active sperm penetrate a chicken egg, but only one of the fastest “tadpoles” fuses with the egg. Within 23-24 hours, the egg acquires a shell and after this time it comes out.

Amrox

The breed was developed in 1848 from Barred Rock chickens in America (Massachusetts). To obtain it, striped Plymouth rocks were used. Amroks are an autosex breed, since chickens can be distinguished by sex on the first day due to a characteristic spot on the head.

Characteristic:

• Egg production (per year): 190-210 pcs. (55-65 g).
• Testicle color: light brown.
• Laying hen weight: 2.4 kg.
• When they start laying eggs: 180-240 days.

The breed is universal. Chickens lay eggs well at home, but the eggs are not very large. Amroks are unpretentious to weather conditions and tolerate cold well. The color is striped black and gray. The leaf-shaped comb is bright red.

Hamburg

An ancient breed that originates in Holland, but it was recognized in the German city of Hamburg. Local chickens were used to obtain it. They are often kept as ornamental, but at the same time they show good egg production.

Peculiarities:

• Egg production (per year): 175-250 pcs. (45-55 g).
• Testicle color: white.
• Laying hen weight: 1.8 kg.
• When they start laying eggs: 120-150 days.

Small chickens with an attractive appearance. They need a large enclosure with a closed top, as they fly well. The colors are divided into two groups: speckled (golden, flesh to tan, silver and lemon with black speckles) and edged (golden and silver).

INTERESTING! There are also black and white chickens. The comb is pink, the lobes are white.

Diets for feeding roosters

The basis of the diet for roosters is the same products that are used to feed chickens, but there are some peculiarities. It is necessary to know and take them into account depending on what kind of roosters you are raising - breeders, fighting ones or individuals intended for slaughter.

Standard

The optimal diet for roosters includes:

• grain crops;
• vegetables: fresh and boiled;
• animal feed;
• greenery;
• calcium supplements: fish meal, bone meal, crushed shells or chalk.

Moreover, the daily diet of roosters can include minerals, fruits and other sources of vitamins.

Farmers often base their rooster rations on household table waste, such as side dishes and bread. Thus, they want to save a lot on feeding the roosters. But with this approach to feeding, it is difficult to maintain the required proportions and provide balanced food.

There is also an alternative option - feeding with ready-made mixed feed, which is selected depending on the age of the rooster.

In addition to a balanced diet, it is also important for poultry to maintain a drinking regime. The water norm per adult is 200 ml daily

The volume of water should be increased if the birds' diet includes mainly dry food, and they are rarely fed wet gruel or fresh vegetables, which are also a source of life-giving moisture.

For breeding roosters

For the fertilization of hens, the quality of the rooster’s seminal fluid plays a very important role; it, in turn, strongly depends on the bird’s diet.

IMPORTANT! The diet must be balanced to prevent roosters from gaining excess weight. Obese roosters become lazy, sedentary and inactive in matters of mating.

A balanced diet and optimal portion sizes have a beneficial effect on:

• sperm quality;
• mating efficiency.

It is necessary to enrich the diet of feathered males with ready-made balanced feed compositions from non-standard containers, which will stimulate an increase in sexual activity.

The feeder is arranged as follows: V-shaped feeders are attached to the wall approximately 40-50 cm from the floor. They are filled with a nutritious composition: cereals with sprouts in a volume of approximately 50 grams, a calcium-containing additive - cottage cheese or bone meal - 7 grams, raw carrots - 20 grams, as well as yeast - 5 grams and fish oil in the amount of 1 gram.

Moreover, you can purchase supplements for roosters that increase the quality of seminal fluid.

For individuals for slaughter

The diet for roosters destined for slaughter is also changing. In this case, the bird’s diet should be enriched with protein foods - boiled eggs, cottage cheese or other dairy products.

In order for roosters to quickly gain weight, it is necessary to provide constantly full feeders. They should be filled with grain or other dry food. Roosters that will be slaughtered will actively gain weight if fed with ready-made broiler mixtures.

For fighting cocks

For special breeds of fighting cocks, it is important to provide a special diet. The basis here is compound feed, selected depending on the age of the bird.

Ready-made mixtures can have different forms: granules or crumbly appearance. Since such foods are developed by specialists, all the necessary substances are included in their composition. Such nutrition ensures healthy growth and strength of the bird.

Fighting breeds of roosters require increased levels of proteins and vitamins. For this reason, in addition to ready-made food, they are given:

• boiled eggs;
• dairy products;
• meat;
• greens, sprouted wheat and other cereals.

Dominant

Numerous crosses bred in the Czech Republic. Includes several varieties of chickens that differ in color, egg shell color and direction of productivity.

Characteristic:

• Egg production (per year): 280-320 pcs. (60-70 g).
• Color of testicles: brown in different shades, cream, blue, green.
• Laying hen weight: 2 kg.
• When they start laying eggs: 120-150 days.

Farmers more often keep grey-speckled, black, blue and silver dominants on their farms. Dominant hens begin to lay eggs early and the eggs are large. The peculiarity of the cross is its demands on the composition of the feed mixture. With a lack of protein and calcium, egg production decreases.

IMPORTANT: when breeding, the egg production of young animals will be much lower, since this is a typical cross.

Huge record breaking chickens

Many chicken farm owners try to achieve certain goals when breeding laying hens and even compete with each other. Some poultry farmers go even further - they try to make history by raising the largest chicken. Among them are Jeremy Goldsmith and the Stone family from the UK, Ronald Alldridge from Australia.

Ten-kilogram Big Snow

A Whitesulli rooster named Big Snow, owned by Australian Ronald Alldridge, set a weight record in 1992. He gained more than 10 kg with a height of 43 cm. Having measured the chest circumference of the bird, the commission recorded the figure - 84 cm. The farmer loved his pet very much and was proud of him, but, unfortunately, he soon died.

Little John

A huge Brahma rooster, Little John, lives in England. At the age of one, his height reached 66 cm. The owner of the giant, farmer Jeremy Goldsmith, does not want to reveal the secret of what he feeds his feathered friend, but admits that a special diet contributes to accelerated growth.

Rooster Coburn

This rooster is also English and belongs to the Brahma chicken breed. The bird's owners, the Stone couple, describe him as the brave head of the family. According to them, Rooster is not even afraid of foxes, which often enter the farm. This is not surprising, the rooster is 91 cm tall and weighs 11 kg.

Zagorskaya salmon

A domestic breed that was bred in 1955 at the Zagorsk Poultry Institute. It contains the blood of Yurlovsky vocal and Russian white chickens. Representatives of the New Hampshire and Rhode Island breeds were also used.

Peculiarities:

• Egg production (per year): 190-210 pcs. (65-75 g).
• Testicle color: creamy brown.
• Laying hen weight: 2.5 kg.
• When they start laying eggs: 150-160 days.

A bird with a calm character that gets along well with other animals. Unpretentious to diet and ambient temperature. The color of the chickens is light beige, the feathers on the tail and wings are darker. The comb is leaf-shaped.

Classification

All breeds of chickens are divided according to the following characteristics:

• Direction of use.
• Weight and dimensions.
• Egg production.
• Color, comb shape, color and size of eggs, etc.

According to the direction of human use, chicken breeds are divided into the following types:

• egg direction;
• meat breeds of chickens;
• meat and egg poultry;
• decorative - dwarf and with a very unusual appearance: silk chickens, silver, blue breed, bantam and others;
• vocal;
• fighting breeds of chickens - they are bred mainly in Asia.

Sussex chickens
The most famous chicken breeds by area:

• Egg: Russian white, leghorn, brekel.
• Meat: Cochin, Brahma, Cornish, Faverolles, Sussex chickens.
• Universal: Plymouth Rock, Forwerk, New Hampshire, Faverolles, Rhode Island, Moscow, Amrox, Kuchinskaya, Moscow White, Kotlyarevskaya breed of chickens, Orpington, Leningrad and Dutch calico, Livenskaya breed of chickens.
• Decorative and unusual: bantam, Wyandotte, black Dutch white-crest, paduan, seabright, curly, silky chickens, Andalusian.
• Vociferous: Yurlovskaya vociferous.
• Fighting: Azil, Fighting English, Kulangi, Moscow Fighting, Indian black and blue, Malay.

Azil fighting chickens

Kuchin anniversary

The breed was obtained by Soviet breeders. It was officially recognized in 1990. To breed it, the best representatives of the Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island, Liven and New Hampshire breeds were used.

Characteristic:

• Egg production (per year): 210-260 pcs. (50-65 g).
• Testicular color: red-brown.
• Laying hen weight: 2.8 kg.
• When they start laying eggs: 180-200 days.

A strong, hardy and unpretentious bird. Young animals adapt well to different living conditions. In winter, laying hens continue to produce eggs even at temperatures around +5 degrees. Golden calico color of varying saturation. Leaf-shaped scallop.

Leghorn

The homeland of these chickens is Italy. They gained popularity in the 19th century. The best breeders took part in the breeding, and each of them contributed to the development of the breed. They are actively used to produce highly productive chicken crosses.

Peculiarities:

• Egg production (per year): 260-300 pcs. (55-60 g).
• Testicle color: white.
• Laying hen weight: 1.75 kg.
• When they start laying eggs: 120-150 days.

A small but very productive bird. Laying hens produce about 300 eggs per year and begin to lay eggs by 4-5 months. Leghorns are active and restless chickens. The standard includes two colors: white and brown.

INTERESTING! A characteristic feature of the breed is a large leaf-shaped comb hanging on its side.

Loman Brown

This cross was obtained by German breeders in 1970. Information about the breeds that were used to produce these chickens is still kept secret. On the first day, chickens differ in gender (cockerels are light, and hens are darker).

Characteristic:

• Egg production (per year): 310-320 pcs. (60-65 g).
• Testicle color: light brown.
• Laying hen weight: 1.8 kg.
• When they start laying eggs: 120-150 days.

One of the most popular chickens. However, they have a peculiarity - productivity drops sharply after 2 years of life. At home, it is impossible to obtain young animals with the same egg production rates. The color is brownish-red, the tail has a lighter shade.

Sports and decorative breeds of chickens

In addition to the breeds described above, some homestead farms also breed sporting and ornamental birds.

The most famous sporting chicken breeds include (Fig. 16):

• English fighting chickens are the most common chickens. The birds have a very distinctive appearance: a head with a wide forehead and a small crest, a vertical neck, dense plumage, long and strong legs. In addition to their strong build, the birds have a very aggressive character and featherless legs. Egg production is low (about 100 eggs per year), but English fighting breed chickens are often used for crossing with meat breeds to improve the strength of the physique and greater development of the pectoral muscles.
• Kulangi are most common in Uzbekistan. Feather color can be brown, black or red. The weight of roosters can exceed 4 kg, and hens - 3 kg.

Rice.
16. Sports and ornamental breeds of chickens: 1 - English fighting, 2 - kulangi, 3 - bantam, 4 - shabot Ornamental chicken breeds in homestead farms are often bred for aesthetic purposes. Birds may be much smaller than standard size, have a long tail (or no tail at all), or have unusual plumage.

The most famous decorative breeds of chickens are (Fig. 10):

• Bantams are the most common ornamental chickens, as this breed includes many subspecies of dwarf birds. The first group includes the bantams themselves, and the second group includes dwarf copies of other breeds (Langshans, Cochins). The birds have low egg production (up to 100 eggs per year), and their body weight does not exceed a kilogram.
• Shabot is a dwarf breed of chickens, which is often bred for decorative purposes. Feathers can be white, yellow, porcelain or calico. The weight of adult roosters reaches only 600 grams, and hens - 500 grams.

Pavlovskaya is also considered one of the most famous ornamental breeds of chickens (Fig. 17). Such birds are not bred for meat and eggs, since the weight of an adult individual rarely exceeds one and a half kilograms, and laying hens produce only about 80 eggs per year. Pavlovsk chickens have a very beautiful unusual golden-brown color and a large crest on the head. From a maintenance point of view, Pavlovsk chickens are very demanding: they cannot be kept in cages, and the range must be spacious.

Rice. 17. Chickens of the Pavlovsk breed

More useful information about chicken breeds is given in the video. You will learn how to properly care for birds and keep them for profit.

Pushkinskaya

The breed was obtained in the city of Pushkin, from where it took its name. It was approved only in 2008. There are two lines of this breed: selection from St. Petersburg and Sergiev Posad. They differ in color and appearance.

Peculiarities:

• Egg production (per year): 210-260 pcs. (70-75 g).
• Testicle color: white.
• Laying hen weight: 2.5 kg.
• When they start laying eggs: 120-150 days.

Pushkin chickens are the most suitable breed for private households. They are unpretentious and begin to lay eggs early. The egg is very large, weighing about 70-75 grams. Chickens are unpretentious to air temperature and diet.

IMPORTANT! The color of laying hens bred in St. Petersburg is variegated, black and white, with a pink comb. Chickens obtained in Sergiev Posad are darker, gray-black, with a leaf-shaped comb.

Russian white

In the first half of the 19th century, breeders began crossing Leghorns with various outbred chickens. After obtaining the first productive hybrids, they were bred “inside”. As a result of further work, Russian white chickens were obtained.

Characteristic:

• Egg production (per year): 200-235 pcs. (55-60 g).
• Testicle color: white.
• Laying hen weight: 1.75 kg.
• When they start laying eggs: 150-180 days.

A small bird whose weight does not exceed 1.8 kg. Chickens are unpretentious, but very active and need a lot of walking. The color must be snow-white. The comb is large and red, hanging slightly to the side (the breed adopted this feature from Leghorns).

Catalog

Below are all the birds in the catalog, ranked by popularity. For ease of navigation, use the alphabetical index or search bar.

Leghorn is a breed of chickens for egg production, proven by time and many generations of poultry farmers.

Kuchin anniversary breed of chickens. Characteristics, maintenance, breeding, diseases

Coral: White laying hens with coral eggs. Features of keeping and breeding crosses

Russian white breed of chickens - descendants of Leghorns, an achievement of domestic selection. Description and characteristics

Zagorsk breed of chickens: a breed of meat and egg production, in demand among amateur poultry farmers

Tsarskoye Selo chickens are a universal meat and egg breed bred by domestic breeders

Loman Brown is a cross from Germany that brings great financial profit to its owners

Indian fighting chickens Azil are a rare specimen in chicken coops. Despite their fighting disposition, they are distinguished by their affection for their owner.

Cochin: a famous breed of chickens with extraordinary gentleness of character and high exhibition value

Bresse-Gallic chickens are the property of France. Characteristics of the breed, why it is grown and its main features

Sussex

An English breed that was developed at the beginning of the 19th century. It was obtained by crossing representatives of the Brahma, Dorking and other breeds with outbred chickens. As a result of constant selection work, the egg production of Sussex laying hens has improved.

Peculiarities:

• Egg production (per year): 150-200 pcs. (55-65 g).
• Testicle color: yellow-brown.
• Laying hen weight: 2.8 kg.
• When they start laying eggs: 180-240 days.

The chickens are medium sized, friendly and calm. They get along well with other birds and are prone to incubation. The color is white, there is a characteristic rim of black feathers on the neck. The tail is dark. The scallop is red, leaf-shaped.

There are many breeds of chickens, but not all of them have high egg production. To keep on a private farm and obtain a large amount of eggs, it is better to choose a calm and peaceful bird of the egg type, unpretentious to the conditions of detention and diet.

Note: a well-designed menu is the key to high egg production of chickens.

Description of meat and egg breeds of chickens

Such breeds are also widespread among poultry farmers, since the birds are not only distinguished by high egg production, but also by good quality meat.

The precocity of chickens of meat and egg breeds is almost the same as that of birds of egg breeds. However, they have a calmer character and are less demanding of living conditions. In particular, meat and egg chickens do not require the installation of special high fences or fences in walking areas.

Most meat and egg breeds of chickens were developed through crossbreeding. The most common breeds and their descriptions are given below.

• Rhode Island

The breed was brought to the USA in the mid-19th century¸ but Rhode Island chickens were brought to Russia only at the beginning of the 20th.

The distinctive characteristics of the Rhode Island Kuro's exterior are its strong build: a horizontal rectangular body with a convex chest, a long straight back, strong legs, small wings and a well-feathered tail (Fig. 7).

Rice. 7. Meat and egg chickens of the Rhode Island breed

The birds have yellow skin and brown-red feathers (some of the tail and flight feathers are black). The birds are distinguished by a yellow beak and bright red earlobes.

The average weight of Rhode Island roosters reaches 3.5 kilograms, and hens - three kilograms. Every year the birds bring about 170 eggs with light brown shells.

• New Hampshire

This is the second most common meat and egg breed of chicken. It was also brought to the USA in the 30s of the 20th century. The breed was based on Rhode Island chickens. However, New Hampshire chickens have higher egg production, viability and hatchability rates.

Puberty and egg production in chickens begins at the age of six months. The shells of the eggs are brown, and the hatchability of chickens reaches 85 percent, although the brooding instinct of New Hampshire chickens is less developed than that of Rhode Island.

Rice. 8. New Hampshire chickens

Externally, New Hampshire chickens resemble Rhode Island chickens, but are distinguished by lighter, chestnut plumage. The birds have a very calm character, so they are often kept in cages (Fig. 8).

All New Hampshire birds are divided into two types:

1. Broiler has pronounced meat productivity;
2. Egg - chickens of this type can lay up to 200 eggs per year.

The live weight of birds, regardless of the direction of productivity, reaches 4 kilograms for roosters and 3 kilograms for chickens. The chick hatch rate is 78 percent, but New Hampshire chicken flocks often have few brood hens.

• Plymouth Rock

Plymouth rock chickens were bred in the United States more than a hundred years ago by crossing several breeds of birds. The most common are the white and striped varieties of chickens. White is considered more popular for farms with meat productivity.

Puberty begins as early as six months of age, and hens lay eggs with light brown shells. The advantage of Plymouth rock birds is the high hatchability of chicks (up to 80 percent) and a well-developed brooding instinct. Chickens are also distinguished by their calm nature (Fig. 9).

Rice. 9. Appearance of Plymouth Rock chickens

A characteristic feature of chickens of this breed is rapid development, but slow plumage growth. The birds are distinguished by excellent meat qualities: chickens can be sent for slaughter at the age of 56 days, when their weight exceeds one and a half kilograms. A one-year-old rooster weighs 3.6 kilograms, and the live weight of an adult male exceeds 4 kilograms.

• Jersey giant

Jersey Giant chickens are among the largest. Despite their high meat productivity, chickens are also distinguished by their excellent egg production (up to 180 eggs per year). Since chickens are quite large, they require special living conditions, in particular, extensive walking. In addition, laying hens often crush eggs in nests, so they need to be removed in time.

• Orpington

Despite the fact that Orpington chickens belong to the meat and egg production direction, they are valued precisely for their meat qualities (Fig. 10). The weight of an adult is up to 5 kg, while the annual egg production of laying hens is 160-180 eggs.

Rice. 10. Chickens of the Jersey Giant (1a, 1b) and Orpington (2a, 2b) breeds

Chickens grow slowly and require high-quality feeding. At the same time, caring for chickens of this breed can be called simple, since the birds have a calm character and are unpretentious to climatic conditions.

• Legbar

Legbar chickens are characterized by an average weight (up to 3 kg) and egg production (up to 200 eggs per year). A distinctive feature is the light green or blue color of the shell. However, birds have high endurance and good health, which makes caring for them much easier.

• Russian Crested

Russian Crested chickens can be safely called universal. They are distinguished by high egg production, which practically does not depend on the season, and the weight of an adult individual can reach 3-4 kg. In addition, Russian crested chickens come in a variety of colors, and the presence of a small crest on the head also gives them decorative value (Fig. 11).

• Foxy Chick

This is a fairly common breed in homestead farms, since Foxy Chick chickens do not require special housing conditions, are distinguished by good health and a high level of hatchability of young animals. At the same time, they have tasty and tender meat with almost no fat, and the annual number of eggs from one hen reaches 250 pieces.

Rice. 11. Breeds of chickens for meat and egg production: 1 - Legbar, 2 - Russian Crested, 3 - Foxy Chick

Other, less common for meat and egg production include (Fig. 12):

1. Moscow: birds have a long body and a convex chest. The plumage is black, but there are patches of yellow feathers on the neck (hens) or on the neck and back (roosters). A distinctive feature of chickens is the high hatchability of chickens (about 90 percent).
2. Wyandotte is a breed of chickens with an average live weight (up to 3.5 kg for roosters and 3 kg for hens) and egg production (up to 180 eggs annually). The feather color of Wyandotte chickens can be black, white, yellow or golden.
3. The Kuchin Jubilee breed is distinguished by good meat qualities and high vitality. The plumage of hens is often light red with a golden mane, while roosters, in addition to red plumage and a golden mane, have black plumage on the chest and tail. The egg productivity of Kuchin Jubilee breed chickens reaches 180 eggs per year.
4. The Yerevan breed of chickens was developed in Armenia by crossing local birds with Rhode Island and New Hampshire chickens. Chickens have an average body weight (up to 3.5 kilograms) and egg production (160-180 eggs per year).
5. Sussex are silver-gray chickens with a fairly high egg production (up to 200 per year). Birds are also distinguished by early sexual maturity, but their brooding instinct is poorly developed.

Rice.
12. Common meat and egg breeds: 1 - Moscow black, 2 - Wyandotte, 3 - Kuchinskaya, 4 - Yerevan, 5 - Sussex. breeds of meat and egg chickens are also often raised at home (Fig. 13):

1. Zagorsk salmon. It was developed in the middle of the last century in Russia. The color of the feathers is light brown. The advantages of birds are not only high egg production and meat quality, but also unpretentiousness to living conditions. Since the breed was bred specifically for the climatic conditions of Russia, the birds tolerate even the most severe frosts.
2. Master Gray. Chickens of this breed grow quickly and gain weight, while maintaining high egg production (up to 300 eggs per year). Since the birds are quite large, they need to be equipped with special spacious chicken coops and extensive paddocks.
3. Maran. Compared to other meat and egg breeds, Maran chickens have an average egg production (up to 150 eggs), but the meat is characterized by high taste. The main feature of Maran chickens is mobility, which is why extensive walking areas are provided for them.
4. Bielefelder is a productive meat and egg breed of chickens. The egg production of females practically does not decrease in winter, and the weight of an adult chicken can exceed 4 kg. Bielefelder chickens are sensitive to drafts, so the house is insulated for the winter.
5. Adler Silver. Laying hens of this breed produce large eggs and are highly productive. At the same time, they are also suitable for slaughter for meat, as they quickly gain weight.
6. Amrox. One of the most popular breeds for meat and egg productivity. Amrox chickens are characterized not only by high egg production (up to 200 eggs per year), but also by good quality meat and almost 100% rearing of young animals at home.

Rice.
13. Other popular meat and egg breeds of chickens: 1 - Zagorskaya Salmon, 2 - Master Gray, 3 - Maran, 4 - Bielefelder, 5 - Adler Serebristaya, 6 - Amroks It is worth noting that in various regions they often breed local breeds, which are distinguished not only by high quality meat, but also by good egg production. These breeds include the Orpington, Yurlovskaya, Pervomayskaya, Livenskaya and Australorp breeds, which have not become very widespread lately. A distinctive characteristic of these breeds is the rapid growth of young animals, whose weight at ten days of age exceeds a kilogram. From the video you will learn even more useful information about the features of breeding and keeping chickens of meat and egg breeds using the example of the Amrox species.