Biggest?

[Sylviaanne]

What breed is the biggest but not specifically a meat chicken.

I want some big chickens for egg laying and chicks. If they are pretty, that's a plus but I don't want any Naked Necks. They don't have to be a broody type as I have 2 incubators and hope to get some Silkies and eventually learn how to caponize.

 

[LRH97]

Well as far as biggest goes, Jersey Giants might satisfy you. They are fair layers of brown eggs as well. Another bigger looking breed would be Orpingtons. Their puffy feathers give them a somewhat larger appearance. Both will go broody,come in various colors, and are not hard on the eyes.

 

[Sylviaanne]

Well as far as biggest goes, Jersey Giants might satisfy you. They are fair layers of brown eggs as well. Another bigger looking breed would be Orpingtons. Their puffy feathers give them a somewhat larger appearance. Both will go broody,come in various colors, and are not hard on the eyes.

Are the Jersey Giants much bigger than the Orpingtons? I just had a Buff Orpington get disappeared by our Sneaky Predator and she didn't seem bigger than a regular chicken. I have 3 Cornish cross hens that I didn't know were meat chickens. I got them cause they were cute little fur balls and when they got bigger than the other hens I have, I wanted more. I bought 2 more chicks this year, that were not the same color but were in the Cornish cross brooder but it was before I learned they were meat birds. I knew my Cornish cross hens seemed to walk funny but I didn't realize that they might be in pain when they were waddle-running. I won't buy anymore cause I didn't/don't plan on eating them, I want them for laying eggs.

Maybe next year when I have more roosters and cockerels than I can handle, I will learn to caponize. Might do it this year if Poco Pollo is still giving classes and I can afford it.

Turns out the 2 new "Cornish Cross" chicks are not Cornish cross but I forget what someone called them.

 

[LRH97]

They are one of, if not the biggest, of breeds. Males can get to 13 pounds easily with females in the 8-10 range. I've had a few blue birds that were gorgeous. Black is my second favorite variety. When the light hits them, it casts a beautiful green sheen across the feathers.

 

[Sylviaanne]

Thank you. I will have to look into them now. LOL Sylvia

 

[Michael OShay]

What breed is the biggest but not specifically a meat chicken.

I want some big chickens for egg laying and chicks. If they are pretty, that's a plus but I don't want any Naked Necks. They don't have to be a broody type as I have 2 incubators and hope to get some Silkies and eventually learn how to caponize.

Typically (there can always be exceptions), the three biggest standard breeds in size order beginning with the largest are Jersey Giants, Brahmas, and Cochins (although Cochins can look bigger because of the massive amount of feathers they have). Cornish X Rocks can reach sizes even larger than Jersey Giants, but they are not good for breeding due to health problems when they reach adult sizes, a very poor lay rate, and being hybrids they won't breed true to form.

 

[Sylviaanne]

This is just what I needed to know. Jersey Giants, Brahmas, and Cochins. Thank you so much. Sylvia

 

[Michael OShay]

This is just what I needed to know. Jersey Giants, Brahmas, and Cochins. Thank you so much. Sylvia

If egg laying rate is a consideration, Jersey Giants and Brahmas will outlay Cochins, although Cochins are the better brooders and mothers.

 

[Sylviaanne]

Someone here has some Light Bramas and they are beautiful but the way hers are colored is not a set pattern. I'd love to have some just like hers. Where can I find pictures of the colors of Jersey Giants? I will probably get Cochins and some Silkies to be brooders and mothers but I love looking at the big chickens. LOL

 

[Michael OShay]

Someone here has some Light Bramas and they are beautiful but the way hers are colored is not a set pattern. I'd love to have some just like hers. Where can I find pictures of the colors of Jersey Giants? I will probably get Cochins and some Silkies to be brooders and mothers but I love looking at the big chickens. LOL

Unfortunately, if you are into a variety of colors, Jersey Giants only come in two--black and white. To see a picture just click on http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b311/Chickenmom/BYC Page/BWJ_hens_sm.jpg
In addition to Light, there are also Dark Brahmas and Buff Brahmas. You can see them at http://www.idealpoultry.com/assortment.html
Cochins come in the biggest variety of colors of the giant breeds. You can see them at http://www.idealpoultry.com/assortment.html