Knight discusses breeds of meat chickens for BDN article
Colt Knight, assistant professor with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Maine state livestock specialist, spoke with the Bangor Daily News for an article about the best breeds of meat chickens. Chickens that are raised specifically for meat are commonly known as broilers, and they are different from their egg-laying counterparts, the article states. “There is a huge difference,” Knight said. “If the goal is to have a meat-producing bird, raising an egg layer is a terrible idea.” One example, according to Knight, is egg-laying hens put on weight at a much slower rate than a broiler. Breeds Knight recommends include Cornish Cross, Jersey Giant, Bresse, Orpington and a variety of heritage breeds known as “freedom rangers.”