There’s something deeply rewarding about raising your own food When it comes to poultry, meat chickens (also called broilers) can provide a healthy, sustainable, and flavorful source of protein right from your backyard But raising meat birds is a little different than keeping a small flock of egg layers If you’re considering this step, here’s what you need to know to raise meat chickens successfully—from fluffy chicks to processing day

Step 1: Choosing the Right Breed

Not all chickens are created equal when it comes to meat production

• Cornish Cross: The most popular meat bird They grow fast—reaching butcher weight (5–7