Everyone is used to the fact that chickens are compact, not too big birds, with the exception of roosters, which are always more than chickens. But it turns out that there are breeds of giant chickens that, according to external data, are many times larger than their relatives.
Consider the most famous and popular breed of large chickens.
The largest breeds
All gigantic chickens are combined according to external signs, which include:
- squat;
- powerful legs of medium length;
- horizontally located lean body.
It is interesting to get acquainted with the list of the most unusual breeds of chickens.
Brama
Chickens of this breed are very popular with both domestic breeders of birds and foreign ones. The main advantage of the breed - simplicity and endurance with minimal space for life.
This meat-egg type is characterized by the following features:
- Appearance. The birds of this breed have a high landing of a powerful wide body with a thin skeleton. The head is small, with a ridge almost unseen, red earrings of medium length. The legs are long and powerful, completely covered with feathers, including the toes. The neck is of medium length, in the upper part with a voluminous feather mane. The color of the birds is light, black and partzapchaty.
- Weight. Birds look impressive not only by the number of feathers, but also by weight. The weight of roosters is up to 5 kg, and laying hens up to 4 kg. During the heyday of the breed it was possible to meet roosters weighing up to 7 kg.
- Eggs Chickens start to be born from 9 months and produce up to 120 eggs of average weight (60 g) per year. The shell is hard, light brown or cream colored. The cold season does not affect the ability to carry eggs.
- Meat. Dietary with high taste. With improper feeding, the meat becomes tough and loses its taste.
Did you know? During breeding, the breed was first introduced in Boston in 1850 under the name "Gray Chittagong." This name has not become popular. In 1852, a chicken of this species was presented to the Queen of Great Britain as the Ermine Brahmaputra - today it is Brahma. Thanks to this occasion, the breed got its heyday in Europe.
Master Gray
This species was developed by the French company "Hubbard", and the main purpose of their production is survivable and unassuming chickens for private property.
Breed is valued for meat and eggs and has the following characteristics:
- Appearance. "Gray" in translation from English - "gray": the plumage of birds alternately gray and white. Around the neck a wide dark gray stripe, similar to the necklace, and the edges of the wings and tail have a darker color. The back and the belly of a light gray color with almost no pattern. Scallop and earrings have a rich red color. The torso is massive with strong legs. Muscles and bones are well developed.
- Weight. At one and a half months a young bird already weighs 1.5 kg. In six months, the weight of the chicken reaches 4 kg, and the rooster - up to 7 kg.
- Eggs In 3.5 months, chickens begin to nest, and in a year the number can reach 200 eggs. In ideal conditions of chicken farms, this figure may increase to 300 pieces per year. A large egg, up to 70 g, is a coffee-colored shell with milk or light brown.
- Meat. According to reviews of bird breeders, it is tasty, diet, compacted, but at the same time gentle. White meat of a breast well will be suitable for feeding children of any age.
Important! The only drawback of the breed is the inability to produce offspring with the same indicators as those of the parents.
Jersey giant
The famous American breed, named after the state of New Jersey, where it was bred.
Specifications:
- Appearance. There are three subspecies of feathers: black, white, and blue. Chickens of black color have the same color beak with a yellow tip. In white individuals, the beak is yellow with black splashes, while in blue individuals it has a dark beak with a bright tip. Hocks on all subspecies are dark with light patches. The body is large with a horizontal orientation, like a broiler. Have strong legs with powerful hips. The head is large, firmly seated on a muscular neck, on top it is topped with a bright red crest with six teeth. Earrings are long, the same bright. The bill is medium in size, folded down.
- Weight. Juveniles grow very quickly: in the year the rooster weighs 5 kg, reaching 6 kg, the weight gain stops. The hen grows to 4.5 kg.
- Eggs Chickens start feeding at 7 months of age, and for the year the number of eggs produced is 180 pieces. Within 3 months, egg sizes are small, then the weight of one can reach up to 65 g. The shell is brown, rather durable.
- Meat. It has excellent taste.
Did you know? The first birds of this breed of black color were obtained in 1915, and officially recorded in America in 1920. A year later, they fell into England. As a result of breeding work, the Germans produced a breed of white color, and the British - blue-blue lace.
Cochinquin
Breed of chickens, received its origin in Indochina in the XIX century. Kokhs got to Europe in 1843. They are not bred on an industrial scale, kohs have been replaced by broilers, and for private breeding this bird is good because it is very hardy and can carry eggs well in winter in unheated poultry houses.
Cochins are characterized by the following features:
- Appearance. A large bird with a broad back and chest, with a pronounced neck bend. Head and crest of moderate size. The bill can be light or with black splashes, slightly curved. The wings are small, tightly pressed to the body, they are almost not visible because of the fluffy loose plumage. The rooster of this breed has a short but fluffy tail with feathers bent down. The paws of the bird are proportional to the body, also have plumage, which covers the paws completely. Due to breeding works all over Europe, kokhs of various colors were obtained: black, white, blue, fawn and partridge.
- Weight. On average, cocks of this breed weigh 4.5 kg, and chickens are slightly smaller.
- Eggs One laying hen can carry 120 eggs weighing 50 g throughout the year. Egg production does not drop even in winter.
- Meat. The yield of pure product decreases due to a significant proportion of fat, but the taste parameters remain high.
Learn about red chickens, curly chickens, chickens with shaggy paws.
Orpington
This type of poultry comes from England, or rather the eponymous town of Orpington.
Distinctive characteristics are the following:
- Appearance. The skin color is pure white, according to the English aristocracy, it is the perfect shade for the bird. Despite the fact that this breed was quite popular, it was additionally crossed with the Kochinquin breed. Such manipulations gave her a more exotic look and excellent meat qualities. The body is cubic with abundant plumage of different color.
- Weight. On average, live weight is 4.5 kg, but there are individuals up to 7 kg.
- Eggs One average chicken for a year blows about 170 eggs. Their weight is 60 g. However, it is important to remember that chickens grow rather slowly and at the same time require large financial investments.
- Meat. Birds give tasty, juicy, but at the same time dietary and tender meat.
Important! For this breed of chickens, it is necessary to provide high-quality ventilation of the chicken coop, since the males can suffer from anemia from lack of air, especially in winter.
Records personal chickens
Even among chickens there are real giants and champions. Despite the fact that most poultry farmers do not see the point in registering records, there are still some recorded facts.
Big snow
This rooster is representative of the rather rare breed of Whitesulli hens. He lived in Australia. This is the official record holder, his weight was recorded by a special body in 1992. If the average weight of individuals of this breed is not more than 10 kg, then Big Snow weighed 10.36 kg. 
Little john
Such a playful name was given to his master by his cock. The record holder lived in England and was a representative of the breed Brahma. The height of the bird was 66 cm. The owner is confident that the rooster has grown to such size due to his love for popcorn.
Read also about the breeds of chickens with the largest eggs.
Rooster Rooster Coburn
Another record holder breed Brahma. He also lived in England. His weight is more than 10 kg, and he is 91 cm tall. It's a shame that the owner will never be able to use his meat as a delicious dinner, as the rooster easily protects his henhouse from predators.
Check out the most hardy chickens.
Peculiarities of keeping large chickens
The breeding of such giant birds does not apply to a complex process, however, due to the large size, some nuances need to be taken into account:
- It is important to organize a spacious walking distance. There is no point in a high hedge, as these chickens do not fly.
- Nests and perches should be raised from the floor to a height of no more than 50 cm. If this is not possible, then additional ramps should be installed.
- The egg-laying process must be strictly controlled, since chickens very often crush or simply throw eggs.
- In order for birds not to be injured in a fall, it is recommended to cover the floor in the hen house with something soft.
- Feeding chickens should be clear and regulated, as these breeds tend to be obese, resulting in a decrease in fertility.
It is interesting to learn about crossing chickens at home.
When deciding to start giant chickens in your compound, you also need to take into account two nuances - the high cost and rarity of such species. The representatives of these breeds were replaced by fast-growing broilers. If you are connoisseurs of true chicken beauty, then the described breeds of birds are created for you.
