How to Choose the Right Chicken Breed for Eggs and Meat

Raising chickens can be incredibly rewarding, especially when you're doing it for both eggs and meat. But with so many breeds out there, how do you know which one to pick? The right breed depends on your goals, your space, and how much time you're willing to invest.

Let’s break it down in simple terms so you can make the best choice for your flock.

1. Know What You Want: Eggs, Meat, or Both

Chickens generally fall into three categories:

Egg layers – Bred to produce lots of eggs (but not ideal for meat).
Meat birds – Grown mainly for fast weight gain and meat quality.
Dual-purpose breeds – A good balance of egg production and meat yield.

If you’re looking to get both eggs and meat from the same flock, you’ll want to focus on dual-purpose breeds.

2. Top Dual-Purpose Chicken Breeds to Consider

Here are some of the most reliable breeds that provide both decent egg output and good meat quality:

🐓 Rhode Island Red

Eggs: 250–300 brown eggs per year
Meat: Good size and tasty
Why Choose It: Hardy, easy to raise, and great for beginners

🐔 Plymouth Rock (Barred Rock)

Eggs: 200–280 eggs annually
Meat: Tender, with solid body weight
Why Choose It: Friendly, calm, and does well in cold or warm weather

🐓 Orpington

Eggs: Around 200 per year
Meat: Soft, juicy meat with good body mass
Why Choose It: Gentle temperament, great for families

🐔 Sussex

Eggs: 250+ per year
Meat: High meat quality, especially if free-ranged
Why Choose It: Active forager, perfect for backyard setups

🐓 Australorp

Eggs: 250–300 per year
Meat: Decent meat bird, though slightly smaller
Why Choose It: Lays reliably even in winter, very low maintenance

3. Consider Climate and Your Location

Some breeds handle cold weather better than others. For example:

Cold Hardy: Orpington, Rhode Island Red, Australorp
Heat Tolerant: Leghorn, Minorca (note: these are more egg-focused breeds)

If you live in a region with extreme temperatures, make sure the breed you choose is suited for those conditions. No one wants a stressed flock — unhappy chickens lay fewer eggs and don’t grow well.

4. Think About Feed and Space

Dual-purpose breeds tend to eat more than layer-only chickens. If you're limited on space or trying to cut feed costs, choose breeds that are good foragers like Sussex or Plymouth Rock. These chickens can find a lot of their own food if given enough yard or pasture to roam.

5. Are You Raising for Yourself or to Sell?

If you're planning to sell eggs or meat, look for:

Consistency in egg production
Faster growth rates for meat
Appearance: Some buyers care about how the chicken or eggs look

Orpingtons and Rhode Island Reds are often top choices for small farm businesses.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to overcomplicate it. Pick one or two dual-purpose breeds that suit your local climate, space, and needs. Start small — raise 5 to 10 chickens and see how it goes. Over time, you’ll get a feel for what works best for your setup.

And remember: a healthy chicken, regardless of breed, will give you more in the long run than a popular one raised in poor conditions.

How to choose the Right Chicken Breed for Eggs and Meat