Take advantage of buying from a local source if they provide quality chicks, information and service to their customers. The most economical meat production comes from the commercial meat strains developed from breeds such as the Cornish, Plymouth Rock and New Hampshire. These crosses and hybrids have been bred for the most efficient conversion of feed to meat. They feather rapidly and mature early. Some purebreed birds are used for home flock meat production, but they generally don't grow as rapidly as the crosses or hybrids, and take more feed.
Leghorn males make very poor and costly meat, even when they are obtained free.
Various classes of meat birds can be raised from the same commercial strains. The broiler or fryer is normally slaughtered at seven to nine weeks when it weighs 3 to 4 pounds and will dress 2 to 3 pounds. The same birds slaughtered at five or six weeks can be used as Cornish game hens. They can be grown to 12 to 14 weeks or longer to make roasters. The males can be caponized at four to five weeks and grown to 18 to 21 weeks as capons.