The Rhode Island Red and Sex-Link birds are heavier and take more feed. They lay brown shell eggs. Except for the shell, brown and white eggs are alike if the hens are fed the same feed. These breeds are not as nervous as the Leghorn type. As you gain experience, you can switch to the Leghorn type and increase your flock size.
Meat production requires a chick that has been bred for fast growth and good feed use.
A crossbreed is used in commercial broiler production. It grows fast, feathers rapidly, and efficiently converts or changes feed to meat. This chick is furnished by the person who contracts for broilers to be grown. These chicks come from hatcheries specializing in production of broiler chicks. When you have decided on the type of project and breed to use, you must place an order for the chicks.