Mixed-Purpose Flock
A deliberate blend of breeds chosen to cover egg production, occasional meat culls, broody sitting, and pest control — the most resilient and self-sustaining flock design.
A mixed-purpose flock is ideal for: Self-sustaining flocks, homesteads wanting all three outputs. Annual feed cost: $300-440.
Below you will find breed-purpose guides filtered to this flock size, organized by climate zone for each breed category.
Breed Categories for Mixed-Purpose
Eggs + Meat
Heritage Dual-Purpose
Plymouth Rock, Wyandotte
Eggs
Prolific Layer
Leghorn, Australorp
Eggs in Cold Climates
Cold-Hardy Layer
Chantecler, Buckeye
Eggs in Hot Climates
Heat-Tolerant Layer
Leghorn, Minorca
Meat
Meat Broiler
Cornish Cross, Freedom Ranger
Show / Small-Lot Egg
Bantam & Ornamental
Serama, Belgian d'Uccle
Brooding / Small-Scale Hatching
Silkie & Broody
Silkie, Cochin
Eggs (no surprise roosters)
Sex-Link Hybrid
Golden Comet, Black Star
Conservation / Eggs + Meat
Rare & Conservation
Buckeye, Java