Chickens are one of the most popular, iconic, flexible, and functional features of the historical homestead.
Some modern homesteads only keep them for egg production and pets; but if your homestead is geared towards the historic style of self sufficiency (producing and making use of everything that your land can handle, including meat), you’re probably raising or intending to raise meat chickens, too. Cornish may be raised, but most homesteads like to focus on heritage breeds that will breed true, with hardy birds.
If you’ve thought about crossing birds that you already own in order to vastly improve your existing flock for egg production, egg color, muscle mass (meat), growth rate, or temperament, this information is for you!
Crossing Chickens: Does It Drastically Improve the Homestead Flock’s Production?
Crossing chicken breeds has produced many, many breeds of chickens, from tiny bantams to over-sized Brahmas. There are even Cornish X chickens, which are responsible for the large-breasted birds that you find in the meat department of your local grocery store. There are also intensively-bred egg production birds that produce 300+ eggs per year for commercial farms; this might not sound special to the inexperienced chicken keeper, but for those of us who know our birds, we know that they most definitely don’t lay an egg every day of the year. In fact, some hens won’t lay an egg for weeks (or even months!) during the cold winters.
When it comes to the typical homesteader’s flock, which generally consists of dual purpose heritage breeds, or several specialty breeds for both laying eggs and producing sufficient meat, can crossbreeding actually improve the quality of the birds that are raised on the homestead?
Raising Cornish X Cross Chickens
Before I go into detail with crossing your home flock, I wanted to discuss raising Cornish Cross chickens. These chickens are the very same ones that you will find in grocery stores around the world. Not only do they produce some of the fastest growing and largest carcasses, they offer one of the best returns on feed cost. They are, hands down, the most economical, fastest sources of chicken meat in the world.
This doesn’t come without consequences, though. The secret behind this cross is very closely guarded by hatcheries, and in many cases, the genetics are actually protected legally. The hatcheries know that they have a very profitable bird and bloodline; therefore, the average homesteader will likely never find the secret to this cross. In addition, these birds are mutants by their own design. They grow far too fast for their bodies to handle, which causes the birds to suffer from many different health problems. These birds may suffer from fatal heart issues, collapsing legs, and much more. There’s a reason many homesteaders like to opt for the healthier, heritage breeds; on the flip side, raising Cornish Cross might be more effective for the homesteader on a budget with limited land, even though many birds may suffer from their own weight.
Raising Heritage Breed Chickens: They’re the Best Tasting Meat Chickens!
It’s true! Heritage birds simply taste better! We have harvested several heritage breed crosses, and I can tell you that each bird has provided us with a meat that is far superior to that of the grocery store Cornish Cross, regardless of the size of the bird we harvested. The meat is not as squishy or mushy as the Cornish Cross; this is due to the difference in activity levels. Cornish Crosses cannot get around like normal chickens, therefore they do not exercise like a normal chicken would. This higher activity level results in a bird with firmer muscles and meat. For me, it is the difference between a hot, fresh, crisp french fry and one that has cooled. It’s day and night! Before we discuss crossing, it’s important to know about some of the heritage breeds and their characteristics. Here are some of the heritage breed meat chickens we’ve tried as crosses, with a few facts on each breed:
- (Buff, Lavender) Orpington Heritage Meat Dual-Purpose Breed: The Orpington is a rather large dual purpose breed. They are slow to lay (24 to 29 weeks), don’t lay as well as laying breeds, and they take closer to 16 to 20 weeks to reach harvest. However, Orpington hens are VERY important as brood hens and will lay straight through the worst of the winter- mine do! These hens are quick to go broody, and are some of the most reliable mothers. Orpingtons can add stocky builds to the flock, incubate and raise all of your meat chicks, and provide eggs through the cold winter months. There is a reason that they are so incredibly popular.
- Jersey Giant, Heritage Slow-Growing Meat Breed (Cold Hardy): The Jersey Giant is one of the largest chicken breeds that you can have; it also produces some of the heaviest carcasses. They are cold hardy birds that are slow to reach maturity (20+ weeks), and some believe the roosters are among the friendlier of the breeds. These larger birds are hard targets for eagles and hawks, making them far safer for free ranging during daylight hours. Since they are cold hardy to some degree, you may be able to expect eggs during the winter months. Hens of this breed are also known to go broody.
- The Buckeye, a Cold Hardy and Faithful Producer: The Buckeye tends to be slightly smaller than the Orpington, but very similar in growth, maturity, and laying. It is known for its cold hardiness, which is helpful in colder climates. They have beautiful red plumage, which is welcomed in a flock of buff, black, and white. Expect a harvest after 16 to 20 weeks with this harder to find heritage breed!
- Ayam Cemanis & Svart Honas, Experience Black Meat: The Ayam Cemanis and Svart Honas are closely related, with the Ayam Cemani being more attractive and expensive, and the Svart Honas being of a heavier build. They both produce black flesh, down the the bone. This unique breed may not compete with other breeds in terms of egg or meat production, but they definitely bring a unique trait to the “table.”
- The Delaware: True, Endangered Dual-Purpose Bird: This bird is at risk currently, even with its history of popularity as a meat bird. Once the Cornish Cross took over, many breeds suffered greatly. This bird is not only beautiful, it produces lots of large, brown eggs and a heavy carcass. The bird is largely white, which produces a cleaner looking bird after processing. Expect to harvest around 20 weeks of age, with an average carcass size (4 to 5 lb).
- The Wyandotte, a 150 Year Old, Beautiful Heritage Dual Purpose Breed: The Wyandotte is one of my absolute favorite breeds. They are beautiful, mid-sized birds that mature a bit earlier than most of the other dual purpose breeds. The hens lay cream tinted eggs of a large size quite frequently, and their rounded bodies and full breasts make them an excellent choice for a more compact meat bird. Expect to harvest within 16 to 20 weeks for this heritage breed.
- Rhode Island Red, Great Temperament. Excellent Egg Producer: Another excellent dual purpose breed is the RIR. The Rhode Island Red characteristics that stand out are the number of eggs produced and docile nature. The Rhode Island Red temperament is hard to compete with, as both the roosters and hens are wonderful, kind, easy going birds. Rhode Island Red eggs are large and brown, both desirable in the home flock (and more eggs means more opportunities to eat and incubate). As a meat bird, they are very well rounded and harvest between 16 and 20 weeks, with fuller birds being harvested closer to 20 weeks of age.
Breeding Fryer and Broiler Chickens: Deciding What Breeds to Cross for Meat Birds at Home, While Improving Egg Production
As you know, at one time, there were no such things as Cornish Crosses and Freedom Rangers. Instead, both families and commercial farms raised purebred heritage breeds and well known crosses to produce meat. With fryer chickens being harvested around 20 weeks of age and broiler meat chickens being harvested between 12 and 14 weeks of age, heritage birds fit the bill perfectly. In either case, soaking or fermenting feed can increase weight among the birds while reducing feed costs.
Always study and research the breeds that are available to you to cross; you need to choose birds that could help you to improve the overall flock. For example, you might have scale-busting Jersey Giants that mature incredibly slowly with poor egg production, but a large Wyandotte rooster that matured quickly, whose mother and sisters break records with their egg production; this cross could potentially produce large, fast growing chickens that lay more frequently. While breeds maintain certain characteristics, every bird is different. They may exceed expectations for the breed, or they may fall short; this is why breeding quality birds and crossing excellent birds from beloved breeds is important on the homestead.
Overall, meat birds tend to mature slower in all departments with average laying capabilities; on the flip side, production quality layers tend to be far lighter and mature much earlier, with some breeds producing far heavier roosters than hens.
Light Sussex Hens and Rhode Island Red Rooster Meat Bird Cross
With this cross, you could have either broilers or fryers, depending on when you choose to harvest. When this Rhode Island Red Rooster raises chicks with the lighter Sussex girls, he will produce sex-linked chicks which will allow you to see exactly how many roosters you are dealing with. Roosters tend to grow much larger than hens, which is beneficial for meat production. The mixed breed pullets are believed to lay much better than their mothers, and should produce a light brown egg.
White Leghorn Hens and Dorking Rooster: Excellent Table Bird Cross
If you’re looking for a great 5 lb bird at 16 weeks old that fills out wonderfully, this cross would be excellent. Since leghorns are already common on many homesteads as laying hens, the Dorking rooster is likely all you lack. This cross will definitely produce well built meat birds. The pullets that you decide to keep should also be excellent layers, taking after their mothers. At worst, they should still lay better than dual purpose breeds do. Leghorns are one of the leading birds in commercial egg production, which speaks volumes as to their reliability as a layer on the homestead.
Indian Game (Cornish) and New Hampshire Red Cross: Getting Closer to Cornish X Breeding
While the parent lineage for the modern Cornish X is a well guarded secret, it is no secret that the original Cornish breed can be paired with many other breeds to produce fast growing, large breasted, heavy meat birds. One great cross with the true Cornish (Indian Game) is with the New Hampshire Red. The New Hampshire Red is one of the meatier cousins of today’s Rhode Island Red, which is not bred to be as bulky as it was decades ago. Therefore, crossing the NHR with the Cornish will produce a larger bird. Harvest may occur as early as 12 weeks of age, but you want to wait a few weeks longer if you are raising broilers. This cross is extremely popular for backyard meat production, but perhaps not for egg production.
What Other Traits Should Be Improved for In the Home Flock?
If you want a customized flock that will meet your needs, you also need to consider your growing zone and your personality requirements of your birds, as well as how instinctual they are. A lighter, wilder flock with a bit more aggression among the roosters will allow the birds to free range more effectively, reducing feed costs and evading predators. Foraging during the summer months can bring your expenses on feed to nearly nothing if you have adequate land. Of course, winter will change things.
If you have several small children, cannot free range, and have cold winters, you might opt for larger, well feathered, cold-hardy birds that are quite docile and mildly affectionate. Larger birds have a harder time flying out of reach, and might be easier targets. In addition, aggressive chickens can be very dangerous with small children. All in all, you must evaluate the needs of your homestead, and alter your flock’s traits in a way that caters to those needs.
Crossing Birds for Free Ranging Success
There are four main traits that you want to bring into your lines for successful free ranging. Not all chicken breeds are created equal, and some will not do well with free ranging due to a lack of these traits.
- Weight & Flying Ability: Birds who are exposed to predators and the elements must be able to move quickly and fly out of the way of danger. Lightweight birds, such as game birds or those developed for egg production, are perfect candidates. Heavier, clumsier birds could be used for natural tilling purposes instead.
- Alertness: Some chickens are far more aware of their surroundings than others, much like breeds among many other species. If a bird is able to pay close attention to its surroundings, it can evade an attack with much more time. A flock of particularly attentive birds will alert one another, and may do exceptionally well in a high predator area.
- Protective Nature: Every flock of free ranging chickens should have at least one rooster, with more being recommended in areas with many predators. These roosters should be incredibly protective, able to attack a predator while the hens retreat. Unfortunately, many roosters may not survive the battle; however, this generally isn’t the case among smaller predators during the growing season. Multiple roosters can help to protect one another and take over the flock if necessary.
- Strict Roosting Habits: a chicken who sticks very close to its roosting habits will be more likely to survive than one who stays out too late or roosts or nests in different, vulnerable areas. Most owners provide their chickens with a very safe coop that is locked up at night; if all birds return and are locked up, they can avoid most of the nocturnal predators.
Crossing Chicken Breeds for Colored Egg Production
There are many breeds that have been perfected for varying egg colors: white, ivory, cream, pink, beige, tan, brown, red-brown, chocolate, coffee, blue, light blue, dark green, green-brown, olive, pastel green, and even purple. However, perhaps you want to cross your birds for a particular egg color, as certain birds may be hard to obtain. For example: all one needs to produce an olive colored layer is an Americana rooster and a brown egg laying hen. For those who cannot find an olive easter egger laying hen, this is a viable option.
Another option is to improve upon existing egg colors. For those with French Black Copper Marans, they may choose to further improve the dark chocolate eggs that their flocks are laying. Owners of the beautiful Welsummer chickens might want to improve the speckling on their flocks’ eggs.
