Large chicken breeds have been prized for centuries for their meat production.
The average chicken weighs between 4 and 10 pounds, but some breeds may weigh much more than this.
Generally, roosters of any breed weigh more than the hens.
Before you purchase a giant chicken, it is essential to know more about larger breeds to get the right one for you.
Larger chickens do not have more health problems than normal-sized chickens, but some breeds grow very quickly and are prone to overeating.
Large chicken breeds also tend to have friendly, docile temperaments, and they are not more aggressive because of their size.
Keep reading for our list of the 18 largest chicken breeds to learn more about these heavy birds.
Jersey Giant
The Jersey Giant is an American chicken breed originating in New Jersey during the 1800s.
This chicken was developed for meat production and is considered the largest chicken breed around the world.
Jersey Giant Roosters are between 20 to 26″ inches tall and have an average weight of 13-15 pounds, although it is not uncommon to reach close to 20 pounds.
Jersey Giant hens are around 14-20″ inches tall and weigh 10-12 pounds.
Even though the Jersey Giant can produce a large quantity of meat, it is not popular for commercial meat production because of its slow maturation rate.
Jersey Giants are also one of the friendliest chicken breeds, and despite their large size, they do not bully other animals.
Most Jersey Giants have black feathers, but they may also come in white or blue.
Related reading: Jersey Giant Chicken Eggs: Guide And FAQ
Rhode Island Red
The Rhode Island Red was developed in Rhode Island in the late 1800s.
Rhode Island Reds are dual-purpose breeds, and in addition to their large size, they are also good egg producers.
While smaller than the Jersey Giant, the Rhode Island Red is still a sizeable bird weighing 9 and 10 pounds.
Their feathers range in color from reddish-brown to almost black, and they have a red comb and wattles.
This breed is popular among backyard chicken owners due to its resistance to colder temperatures and uncomplicated care requirements.
Malay Chicken
The Malay is not one of the biggest chicken breeds, but it is undoubtedly one of the tallest.
Malay chickens reach up to 36″ inches tall and weigh an average of 9 pounds.
The Malay originated in the United Kingdom and was bred from birds imported from Asia and India.
This breed was initially bred for fighting, but since cockfighting has become illegal in areas worldwide, Malays are bred as show chickens and egg layers.
The Malay chicken comes in a wide range of colors, but it is usually white with light brown patches or black with dark brown patches.
The feathers of the Malay chicken are also very glossy.
German Langshan
The German Langhan was developed in Germany in the 19th century, and it is another tall chicken breed.
German Langshans have long legs and weigh an average of 9.5 pounds.
This breed is usually black but may also be white, blue, or dark brown.
In addition to their meat production, German Lanshans are also average egg-layers, and they lay close to 200 eggs in one year.
The German Lanshan is a friendly bird, and it is a great chicken to have in a backyard flock.
This chicken breed also does well in warmer climates and is capable of foraging for food.
Orpington
The Orpington, also known as the Buff Orpington, originated in the United Kingdom and is bred for meat and egg production.
The average size of an Orpington chicken is 16″ inches tall, with roosters weighing up to 10 pounds and hens weighing 8 pounds.
Orpington chickens have a thick coat of feathers, which allows them to be more resistant to cold temperatures.
Likewise, these birds will need plenty of shade in the hotter summer months to keep from overheating.
The Orpington is a heritage breed, and it has the buff, black, blue, brown, or lavender feathers.
Orgingtons chickens are a calm and docile breed, and they are commonly bred as show animals instead of for meat production.
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Australorp
The Australorp is native to Australia and is considered a very prolific egg layer.
Australorps are very closely related to the Orpington chicken breed.
This large bird is 27″ inches tall, weighs about 10 pounds, and can produce more than 300 eggs in one year.
An Australorp’s plumage is usually black but may also be blue or white.
Australorp hens are very broody and become excellent mothers, making them favorable among breeders.
Cornish Chicken
Cornish chickens originated from Vietnamese and Chinese chickens bred in Cornwall in the 1800s.
The Cornish rooster is much larger than the hen, weighing in at an average of 10 pounds than the female’s 5.5 pounds.
Cornish chickens reach an average height of 26″ inches tall, and they have short necks.
These muscular birds have a wide stance, hardy against both hot and cold climates.
Since this chicken grows so quickly, it is more susceptible to heart and leg issues.
Cornish chickens come in various colors, including white, black, buff, or white-laced red.
The Cornish hen is a poor egg layer, producing only 80 eggs per year.
Cochin
The Cochin breed originated in China and Vietnam and did not find its way to the United States until the mid-1800s.
Cochin chickens are well-known for their thick coat of fluffy feathers, making them appear much larger than they are.
The feathers extended down the chicken’s legs and feet.
Roosters of this breed weigh up to 11 pounds, but the females only weigh close to 5 pounds.
Cochin hens are moderate egg layers, and they will lay up to 160 eggs in a year.
The Cochin is affectionate and enjoys being handled, so they are easy to tame.
Dong Tao
The Dong Tao chicken breed is also known as the dragon chicken due to its thick legs covered in red scales.
Dong Tao chicken legs are said to be as thick as a human adult’s wrist, which is extremely large compared to other chicken breeds.
This extremely rare breed is native to Vietnam, and their meat is considered a delicacy in some restaurants.
Dong Tao chickens are huge and weigh up to 12 pounds on average.
Roosters are typically a reddish-brown color, and the hens are usually white.
Dong Tao hens have such large feet, and they often step on their eggs by accident.
The eggs are usually placed in an incubator until they hatch to prevent accidents.
Related: Dong Tao Chicken Guide
Brahma Chicken
Brahmas are another one of the largest chickens on this list, and they were developed in the United States during the 1800s by breeding Chinese and Indian chicken breeds together.
The Brahma is a tall and slender chicken with a height of up to 30″ inches and weighing between 8 and 10 pounds.
This breed is used primarily for meat production, but they are often kept as pets due to their docile temperament and unique appearance.
Brahma chickens have thick feathers all over their bodies, including their legs and feet.
These feathers make the Brahma more resistant to colder temperatures as long as their feathered feet stay dry.
The colors of a Brahma’s feathers may be buff, white, or black, and they usually have gray undertones.
Keeping these chickens confined is easy because the birds do not fly very well.
Malines
The Malines chicken breed originated in Belgium during the 1800s, and it is a huge, uncommon breed.
Malines chickens rival the Jersey Giants in size, weighing up to 12 pounds on average.
This breed has moderate egg production, laying up to 150 large brown eggs every year.
Smaller Bantam Malines are also bred, but they are not as popular as the full-sized breed.
The coloring of a Malines is usually in a cuckoo pattern, which means two colors cross each other in varying degrees to create uneven stripes.
Malines chickens have a docile temperament, and they get along with humans and other animals.
Barred Rock
The Barred Rock chicken is an American breed, and it is thought to have existed since the 1700s.
Barred Rock roosters weigh up to 7 pounds, and the hens are proficient egg layers.
A Barred Rock hen is a prolific layer capable of laying 280 eggs per year.
The most striking feature of the Barred Rock is its well-defined black and white bar-patterned feathers.
This breed of chicken is amiable and outgoing and is a great choice for a pet.
Delaware
Delaware chickens are the result of breeding Barred Plymouth Rocks with New Hampshire, and they were developed in the 1940s.
The Delaware is another dual-purpose breed, and in addition to its large size, it will produce close to 280 eggs in one year.
Delawares are also broiler chickens, and they are known to grow quickly and have a friendly temperament.
The average weight of a Delaware chicken is between 6 and 8 pounds, which is one of the smallest large chicken breeds on this list.
Delaware chickens usually have all-white feathers and skin.
New Hampshire Red
The New Hampshire Red is a relatively new chicken breed, and it was developed in New Hampshire in the mid-1900s.
It is now known as one of the largest and most popular chicken breeds in the United States.
New Hampshire Red chickens were bred to mature and grow fast, and roosters may weigh 9 to 10 pounds on average.
Hens are relatively small, weighing just 6.5 pounds.
The New Hampshire Red is a dual-purpose breed, and hens can lay close to 200 eggs per year.
Unlike most other birds on this list, this breed has a more aggressive temperament.
New Hampshire Reds have thick, red feathers, protecting against colder temperatures.
Belgian
The Belgian chicken is not large in weight, but it is one of the tallest chicken breeds.
Belgian chickens may grow up to 30″ inches tall and weigh an average of just 5 pounds.
These slender chickens are very muscular and aggressive, as they were originally bred for fighting.
Since chicken fighting has been banned in many parts of the world, the Belgian has become a rare chicken breed.
The Belgian chicken is available in 10 different colors and patterns, but usually black.
This breed also has black skin, legs, and feet.
Leghorn
The Romans first bred the Leghorn in the late 1800s, and it was used for various types of ceremonies and fortune-telling.
Leghorn hens are excellent layers, and they are capable of producing almost 300 eggs every year.
The Leghorn breed has a docile temperament and does well in captivity, making this chicken an excellent choice for beginner chicken keepers to add to their flock.
This is not one of the largest chicken breeds on the list, but the roosters still reach a sizeable weight range of 7.5 to 8 pounds.
Hens are typically much smaller at 5 to 6 pounds.
Leghorns have large combs and wattles, and their plumage comes in different colors such as buff, brown, black, and red.
Their large comb and wattles allow them to cool off more efficiently during hot weather, making them more vulnerable to frostbite in the winter.
Leghorns are excellent fliers, and they tend to be noisy, making them unsuitable for living in an urban backyard coop.
Check out more white chicken breeds in our list at the link.
Wyandotte
The Wyandotte was developed in the North-Eastern United States as a dual-purpose breed for its eggs and meat.
Wyandottes are large birds, with roosters weighing 8-9 pounds and hens weighing 6-7 pounds.
The Wyandotte has a striking lace pattern in various colors, including silver, gold, and white.
This breed is also known to have a docile and friendly temperament and will lay up to 200 eggs in one year.
Faverolles
The Faverolles chicken breed is named for a village in Southwestern Paris.
This breed has a unique appearance with a beard, muffs, feathered feet, and five toes.
Faverolles chicken feathers may be buff, laced blue, white, cuckoo, or salmon.
Males Faverolles weigh up to 8 pounds, and females weigh 6.5 pounds.
Faverolles chickens are commonly kept as pets because they are friendly and do not mind being handled by their owners.
This breed also makes our list of chickens with feathered legs.
