What is the best breed of chickens to raise?
The breed of chickens that a producer selects for his flock depends upon the purpose for which the chickens are intended. The types of chicken breeds to select from falls into one of three categories, 1) egg laying stock, 2) meat-type birds and 3) dual purpose breeds. Each type of bird is genetically developed to satisfy the best attributes for which they are intended. However, no single breed of birds will provide the best characteristics for all three purposes. Each category of birds are discussed below. The egg laying breeds of birds have ancestries that link them to the Mediterranean Class of chickens as classified by the American Standard of Perfection. They are genetically selected for high egg productivity, and usually have small bodies that make them undesirable as meat producers. The small bodies benefit these breeds because very few nutrients are wasted for producing great body mass. Instead, they direct more of their dietary nutrients into the egg production. The egg produci
