Raising Heritage Poultry as a Sustainable Meat Source

Raising Heritage Poultry as a Sustainable Meat Source

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When I first began keeping poultry, my flock consisted of birds from the local feed store. The idea of a heritage breed, or its importance, was not in my mind. However, that changed once we toyed with the idea of raising poultry for meat consumption. 

Upon researching our options, I stumbled upon an article about raising dual-purpose heritage poultry breeds. The idea of utilizing poultry for both eggs and meat as a sustainable option enticed me. I was even more intrigued by the information I had gleaned from the Livestock Conservancy’s website. 

And that’s how it began. Raising broiler poultry breeds was not my only option. I would be adding heritage breeds to the homestead.  

The History of Heritage Poultry Breeds  

The Livestock Conservancy’s mission is, “To protect endangered livestock and poultry breeds from extinction.”  

This made perfect sense and struck me to the core. Much effort is put forth into saving heirloom seeds; why wouldn’t we put as much effort into saving heritage livestock and poultry? The Livestock Conservancy compiled a list of poultry or livestock breeds with an extremely low population. These animals are classified as being watched, threatened, or even critical, with some breeds being studied.  

The need to utilize heritage poultry breeds for meat production began to die when supermarkets came into existence. In addition to this, those who continued to raise backyard poultry focused more on exotic breeds and poultry which laid colorful eggs. Popular dual-purpose poultry breeds which once fed many American families struggled to exist.  

Thanks to the Livestock Conservancy and their drive to educate homesteaders and farmers across America, many of these breeds are slowly making a comeback. 

The Draw to Raise Heritage Poultry Breeds  

Unlike the Cornish Cross broiler chicken breed which is not meant to be bred, dual-purpose heritage poultry breeds are capable of reproducing and hatching eggs. A sustainable meat source is an important factor for many homesteaders and small family farms. 

Heritage poultry breeds forage for food well, opting for greens and protein prior to consuming pellet feed. This benefits those looking to reduce the processed feed offered to their flock. 

Unlike broiler birds, the meat on heritage breeds is darker and does not require brining or smoking to provide flavor.  

Heritage Breeds over Production Broiler Breeds 

Production broilers reach maturity in seven to nine weeks, half the time it takes for heritage breeds. Butchering cannot be delayed as it can lead to potential health risks such as heart issues and broken legs due to their size. Because this breed carries around quite a bit of weight, along with how much they consume, dehydration is a big issue. This breed can forage for fresh vegetation, yet they prefer sitting in front of the feed bowl.  

Heritage poultry breeds take longer to mature, but the wait is worth it. There is no strict butchering time.  

Chicken Breeds 

  • Seven to 12 weeks — broilers 
  • 12 to 20 weeks — fryers 
  • Five to 12 months — roasters 
  • Over 12 months — stewing birds 

Duck Breeds 

  • Up to eight weeks — fryer 
  • Eight to 16 weeks — roaster 
  • Over six months — stewing bird 

Turkey Breeds 

  • 26 to 28 weeks — roaster 
  • Over 18 months — stewing bird or ground to sausage 

Geese Breeds 

  • Up to nine weeks — fryer 
  • Nine to 17 weeks — roaster 
  • Over six months — stewing bird 
heritage poultry for meat chickens and roosters

Selecting Heritage Poultry Breeds as a Sustainable Meat Source 

Of the many poultry breeds found on the Livestock Conservancy list, I would say only a handful make a sustainable meat option. These particular breeds are good layers, prone to becoming broody, forage well, and are a good meat breed. In truth, one cannot go wrong with any of the birds mentioned by the Livestock Conservancy. The breeds mentioned here, in my opinion, surpass the others. 

Raising Chicken Breeds 

Twenty out of the 51 chicken breeds mentioned by the Livestock Conservancy can be classified as well-rounded heritage breeds and raised as a sustainable meat source. When raising chickens, select breeds which do well in the climate in which you reside. For example, Chantecler thrive better in colder climates. 

  • Australorp  
  • Brahma 
  • Buckeye 
  • Chantecler 
  • Delaware 
  • Dorking 
  • Faverolles 
  • Java 
  • Jersey Giant 
  • Langshan 
  • New Hampshire 
  • Orpington  
  • Plymouth Rock 
  • Sussex 
  • Wyandotte 

Raising Duck Breeds 

Out of the 14 duck breeds mentioned by the Livestock Conservancy, the following 10 ducks classify as well-rounded dual-purpose breeds. The duck’s ability to be broody and how much meat it provides after butchering is key.  

  • Ancona 
  • Aylesbury 
  • Buff 
  • Cayuga 
  • Magpie 
  • Rowan 
  • Saxony 
  • Silver Appleyard 
  • Swedish 
  • Welsh Harlequin 
heritage poultry for meat heritage turkey

Raising Turkey Breeds 

All 12 breeds mentioned by the Livestock Conservancy qualify as dual-purpose. Hens are seasonal layers and capable of becoming broody. However, use of an incubator increases hatch rate.   

  • Beltsville Small White  
  • Black  
  • Bourbon Red  
  • Standard Bronze 
  • Narragansett  
  • Royal Palm  
  • Slate  
  • White Holland  

Raising Geese Breeds 

The Livestock Conservancy mentions 11 goose breeds. All, except for the Sebastapol, classify as well-rounded birds to raise as a sustainable meat source. The following breeds stand out above the rest: 

  • Chinese — great egg production, good for smaller properties 
  • Toulouse — the largest bird on the list with extra-large eggs 

Ultimately, the decision is yours. Many enjoy the quick grow-out time of production broiler breeds and do not mind that they are a one-shot deal. Preserving a breed while enjoying the process of raising and consuming foods, as our great-grandparents once did, is priceless. If you’re not quite convinced that this is the best choice, then why not raise both broilers and heritage breeds? We do. 

Originally published in the April/May 2020 issue of Backyard Poultry and regularly vetted for accuracy.

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