How are chickens bred for egg production differently from chickens bred for meat production?

In modern industrial poultry farming, chickens are bred for specialized purposes using intensive genetic selection, inbreeding, and crossbreeding to maximize efficiency.1

Egg Production

Breeds for egg production are selected for their ability to reach sexual maturity quickly and maintain high rates of laying. The single-comb White Leghorn is a primary example of a breed optimized for the global egg industry. Through scientific management and breeding, annual egg production per hen has increased significantly, with some hens now capable of producing over 300 eggs per year.231

Meat Production

Chickens bred for meat, known as broilers, are selected for rapid, efficient weight gain and high-quality, plump carcasses. The Cornish Cross, a hybrid of Cornish and White Rock chickens, is widely used for its compact size and fast growth. Modern breeding efforts have been highly successful; a broiler can now reach a 2.3-kg (5-pound) market weight in just five weeks, a dramatic improvement over the four months required in the mid-20th century.12