Meat & Dual-Purpose Chicken Breeds

Want a hardy backyard bird that lays well and also has a good, meaty frame? Dual-purpose breeds give you both. These are larger, calm birds that handle hot summers and cold winters.

Raising birds just for the table? See our fast-growing meat chicks, including Cornish Cross.

Popular dual-purpose breeds

How ordering works

Mix any breeds on the same hatch date to reach the 6-chick shipping minimum, or order 12 or more and the Marek’s vaccine is free. Choose your hatch date on the product page or in the cart. Shipped chicks are covered by our live arrival guarantee, and local pickup in Preston, MD has no minimum.

Also see our family-friendly breeds and best breeds for beginners.