Broiler - Definition and Overview

A Broiler is a chicken raised primarily for meat, as opposed to a chicken raised to produce eggs.

The broiler is typically a third generation offspring. Select strains of grandparents produce parents known as pullets which finally lay the egg from which the broiler is hatched. The broiler is bred in a restricted area along with thousands of other broiler chicks. It is fed continuously and reaches desired body weight in 6 - 8 weeks. It is then taken to meat processing centers and finally delivered as fresh or frozen chicken in stores.