White Cornish: Building a Quality, Sustainable Flock for Meat and More.....

Pensmaster said:

Very nice. In a week I hope to start some of mine along with some Bresse I have coming.

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I know you are too far away for me to get any Bresse from you (I am in Arkansas), but I am thinking of getting some Bresse and wonder what their characteristics are. They are said to be the most delicious meat. What do you think and do you like keeping them?

S.A.W. said:

I have 25 chickens. Some are lavender Orpingtons, blue orpingtons, blue Marans, and mixed. I have processed chickens many times and want to do much more of it. I would like to get white chickens and am thinking of Bresse or white Cornish, neither of which I have had, altho I have bought Cornish X chicks before and raised them for broilers. They are too expensive and we want to get parent stock so we can hatch our own broilers. Have any of you raised Bresse? They are said to produce delicious, tender meat.

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I’m also interested in the Bresse as well as white Cornish (which seems harder to find in my area) I’m wondering how the CX were too expensive though? They are around $2-$3 CAD here, assuming a small order not 300+ birds for a cheaper rate. They are also supposed to have a superior feed to meat conversion ratio... I’m a little confused?

S.A.W. said:

I know you are too far away for me to get any Bresse from you (I am in Arkansas), but I am thinking of getting some Bresse and wonder what their characteristics are. They are said to be the most delicious meat. What do you think and do you like keeping them?

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Mine are in incubator now. Won’t know how this bunch does till 8 months from now. Last import did not do well.
Most died around 2 year frame. Hoping the 2017 import does better.

Keeping your own breeders is very expensive. Cornish X chicks here usually run around $2.75.

Pensmaster said:

Keeping your own breeders is very expensive. Cornish X chicks here usually run around $2.75.

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That’s my figuring too. The only reason it might be better for me is I will also be able to sell meatie chicks locally, and shipping here is priority airfare on a small private line, so big $$$... when you start adding $120 (60 chicks) or more for shipping, those CX chicks get more expensive quickly. There’s also a 200 bird “personal” limit, or 2000 for small production with an additional license fee, and big fines if you go over your limits. My extenuating circumstances aside I don’t see them as pricy per chick compared to Bresse or Cornish which run $8-$25 (in my area)

I won't mind keeping some breeder stock if I get a start of some breed I really like for meat. The ones I have are fine for meat, but have dark feathers and picking the skin so it looks nice takes so much time. I want to get white ones for meat and will probably keep another breed for egg production. I sell extra eggs and give to family members. Love poultry and wish to expand. I don't like buying the Cornish X because it makes a lot of money in the birds when I give about $3 each for chicks, then feed them till processing age. It is so much fun to read everyone's post on here and share out experiences.

S.A.W. said:

I know you are too far away for me to get any Bresse from you (I am in Arkansas), but I am thinking of getting some Bresse and wonder what their characteristics are. They are said to be the most delicious meat. What do you think and do you like keeping them?

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I know I'm not the one you asked, but there's a place in Florida, Bresse Farm, that has some good birds and a good reputation. And they ship. The ones I've had were easy going, investigative, and I've gotten some broody hens. I have a friend that's experimenting crossing Bresse with Red Rangers this year and has offered a rooster or two for me to try. I personally have found bresse to be a bit more oily than other breeds which helps prevent dry breast meat. Otherwise, they just taste like any other heritage breed to me.

At three months this LF is about a complete package as I have ever had in my flock to date.

Gorgeous!

Mosey2003 said:

Gorgeous!

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Thank you. I've only hatched 200+ this year to have this one. If I could make one change on him I would want just a slightly longer keel.

How much does he weigh at this point?