What if you want a little bit of both? You know, a chicken that’s good for eggs and okay for meat? That’s a dual-purpose breed.
Think Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes, or Orpingtons. These are the jack-of-all-trades of the chicken world. They’ll start laying around 20 to 24 weeks.
But if you want to eat them? You’re looking at 12 to 18 weeks for a decent-sized bird. It’s a trade-off. They grow slower than meat birds, but they’re hardier and smarter.
Plus, they’re usually much friendlier. They’ll follow you around like a dog. It makes eating them a little awkward, honestly. “Sorry, Gertrude.”
