5 THINGS I WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOWN BEFORE RAISING MEAT CHICKENS & WHY DELAWARE HERITAGE BIRDS ARE MY FAVORITE

Raising meat chickens has been an eye-opening experience, and I’ve learned so much along the way. While Cornish Cross is the industry standard, I’ve come to prefer Delaware heritage birds for their hardiness, flavor, and overall sustainability. I’ll share five key lessons from raising meat chickens and explain why Delaware heritage birds are my top choice for meat production.

WHY DELAWARE HERITAGE BIRDS ARE THE BEST MEAT CHICKENS

Delaware chickens were originally bred in the 1940s as a dual-purpose bird for both meat and eggs. While they were overshadowed by the rise of Cornish Cross, they remain a fantastic option for small-scale meat production. When we made the decision of which type of bird to raise on our homestead we wanted to have regenerative quality and after we spent 6 weeks in the PICU with my son and the Delaware was still happy and thriving even if the butchering deadline had passed. Life is busy and healthy birds are important.

Benefits of Delaware Heritage Birds:

• More Hardy & Resilient: Unlike Cornish Cross, Delawares are active, disease-resistant, and less prone to sudden health issues.
• Better Growth Rate: While they take slightly longer to reach butchering weight, they develop naturally without excessive feed consumption.
• Superior Flavor: Their meat has a richer, more traditional chicken flavor compared to commercial breeds.
• Sustainable for Homesteads: Delawares can reproduce naturally, unlike Cornish Cross, making them a self-sustaining option for small farms.
• Great for Free-Ranging: They thrive in pasture-based systems, foraging for insects and greens, which improves their overall health and meat quality.

5 THINGS I WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOWN BEFORE RAISING MEAT CHICKENS

1. Meat birds are NOT the same as laying hens.

We have enjoyed backyard chickens for almost ten years, and let me just tell you that raising meat chickens is a wildly different experience! While laying hens are curious and active, meat birds—especially Cornish Cross—grow extremely fast and have very low energy. It was shocking to see how quickly they matured into massive, sluggish birds compared to our egg layers.

2. Budget plenty of time for feeding and watering.

Meat birds, especially Cornish Cross, eat a staggering amount of food. I found myself constantly refilling their feeders and waterers, especially in the last few weeks before processing. Delaware heritage birds, on the other hand, have a more moderate growth rate, making feed management easier and more cost-effective.

3. Meat birds are not as hearty as other chicken varieties.

Cornish Cross chickens are fragile. We lost a few due to temperature fluctuations and respiratory issues during rainy weather. Delawares, by contrast, are much more resilient to changing conditions, making them a better fit for homesteads with variable climates.

4. The whole process goes very fast!

We received our Cornish Cross chicks at two days old and had them in the freezer by six and a half weeks! With Delaware chickens, the process takes closer to 12-16 weeks, but the slower growth leads to healthier birds and superior meat quality.

5. Materials matter—having the right setup makes all the difference.

Whether you’re raising Cornish Cross or Delawares, a good shelter, heat source, and feeding system are essential. We built a mobile chicken tractor to ensure fresh pasture, which improved meat quality significantly. Delawares benefit even more from this setup since they are natural foragers.

MATERIALS NEEDED FOR RAISING MEAT CHICKENS

At the bare minimum, meat birds require a safe shelter, heat, water, and food. For both Cornish Cross and Delawares, pasturing them on grass improves their health and meat flavor.

Recommended Equipment:

• Chicken Tractor – For fresh pasture access.
• Large Feeders & Waterers – Reduces the frequency of refills.
• Hanging or Elevated Waterer – Prevents contamination and spillage.

WHAT TYPE OF FOOD DO CHICKENS EAT?

Just like normal chicks, baby meat chickens eat chick starter until they are fully feathered (weeks 2-3).

• Chick Starter Feed – Medicated or non-medicated options available.
• Grower Feed (16-18% protein) – Suitable for rapid growth while maintaining health.
• Scratch Grains & Pasture Access – Supplements their diet with natural nutrients.

Delaware chickens require less feed than Cornish Cross, thanks to their ability to forage efficiently.

HOW MUCH FOOD DO MEAT BIRDS EAT FROM START TO FINISH?

A general rule of thumb:

Want to learn how to ferment chicken feed to stretch the budget check out this post and step by step guide here

• Cornish Cross – 110 pounds of feed per 50 birds (average $2.45/bird in feed costs).
• Delaware Heritage – More efficient feed conversion, requiring slightly more time but reducing overall expenses.

HOW DO YOU PROCESS MEAT CHICKENS?

Raising meat chickens is just the first part of this journey. Processing them efficiently ensures the best meat quality.

DIY Butchering Setup:

1. Kill Area – Metal cones to humanely dispatch the birds.
2. Boiling Station – Large stockpot to loosen feathers before plucking.
3. Plucking Machine or Hand Plucking – A Yardbird Plucker speeds up the process significantly.
4. Evisceration Station – Removing organs, necks, and wing tips.
5. Ice Bath (Pink Water & Clear Water Phases) – To chill and clean the carcasses before freezing.
6. Packaging – Poultry freezer bags for long-term storage.

Delaware birds, with their slower growth and firm muscle structure, are easier to process and result in beautifully plump, flavorful meat.

FINAL THOUGHTS

While Cornish Cross remains the most common meat bird, I’ve personally found Delaware heritage chickens to be a better long-term investment. They’re healthier, hardier, and provide a more sustainable source of meat for our homestead.

Thinking of raising your own meat birds? Let me know if you have any questions and happy homesteading!

Linnea