Raising chickens for meat is a great way to enjoy fresh, homegrown poultry while knowing exactly where your food comes from. Whether you’re looking for a fast-growing commercial breed, a hardy dual-purpose chook, or a bird prized for its rich flavour, there’s a breed to suit every backyard.
Some chickens are bred specifically for commercial meat production, while others take longer to mature but offer superior texture and taste. To help you choose, we’ve rounded up the best Australian chicken breeds for meat, including both fast-growing hybrids and traditional heritage breeds that have been feeding families for generations.
1. Sussex – The Traditional Family Favourite
For backyard keepers who want a balanced mix of eggs and meat, the Sussex is a top choice and certainly one of our favourites. These birds grow slower than commercial meat hybrids but develop well-muscled, flavourful meat that’s perfect for a hearty roast.
One of the best dual-purpose backyard chickens for eggs and meat, Sussex chooks can lay 250+ eggs per year before reaching a decent table weight. Their active foraging skills make them a great low-maintenance breed, and their gentle nature means they fit in well with family flocks. If you’re after a chook that does it all, the Sussex won’t disappoint.
2. Cornish / Indian Game – The Commercial Meat Powerhouse
The Cornish, also known as Indian Game in Australia, is a stocky, broad-breasted breed originally developed for its exceptional meat quality. With short legs and a deep chest, they have a distinctive, heavy build. They are not prolific layers, producing only around 160 small, tinted eggs per year.
If you’ve ever bought chicken from the supermarket, chances are you’ve eaten Cornish Cross. These hybrid birds dominate the commercial poultry industry thanks to their rapid growth, reaching processing weight in just 6 to 8 weeks. Purebred Cornish (Indian Game) chickens grow at a more natural pace, resulting in firmer, more flavourful meat with a richer taste than typical supermarket chicken.
They are hardy birds but can be less active due to their heavyset frame. While they require a bit more time to reach table weight, they are a great choice for those wanting to raise meat birds ethically in a backyard setting. Their calm temperament and ability to forage also make them well-suited to small-scale, sustainable meat production.
3. Plymouth Rock – The Hardy All-Rounder
A classic heritage breed, Plymouth Rocks are known for their tender meat, steady egg production, and adaptability. Their meat has a well-balanced texture and taste, and their ability to thrive in both free-range and confined setups makes them one of the best backyard meat chickens for Australian conditions.
Plymouth Rock chickens are also a fantastic choice for families because of their friendly, calm, and easygoing nature. If you want a bird that’s easy to raise, productive, and great on the dinner table, Plymouth Rocks are a solid choice.
4. Orpington – The Big, Juicy Showstopper
If you love a plump, juicy roast chicken, the Orpington is for you. These birds are large and well-rounded, with succulent meat that has a rich, old-fashioned flavour. While they don’t grow as fast as commercial hybrids, they produce some of the best-tasting chicken you’ll find.
Orpingtons also lay a respectable number of eggs, so they’re a great dual-purpose breed for backyard keepers who want the best of both worlds. Their friendly, docile nature makes them an excellent choice for families and small farms.
5. Faverolle
Faverolles are an excellent choice for meat production in Australia due to their substantial body size, and excellent meat quality. Originally developed as a dual-purpose breed, they produce tender, flavourful meat with a well-proportioned carcass, making them a great alternative to commercial hybrids.
Their calm and friendly temperament makes them easy to manage in backyard setups, and they thrive in both free-range and enclosed environments. Faverolles also tolerate a variety of climates, including Australia’s diverse conditions, though their dense feathering means they need access to shade and cool areas in hotter regions.
While they are moderate layers of light brown to tinted eggs, their true value lies in their efficient meat production, making them a top pick for backyard keepers who want a homegrown Sunday roast!
Choosing the Best Meat Chickens for Your Backyard
So, whether you’re after a hardy dual-purpose favourite like the Sussex, or a heritage bird with exceptional flavour like the Orpington, there’s a breed to suit your needs.
Think about what’s most important to you, fast meat production, quality over speed, or a balance of eggs and meat, and choose accordingly. By raising the best Australian chicken breeds for meat, you can enjoy high-quality, ethically sourced poultry straight from your own backyard.
Happy chicken keeping!