Sustainable Meat / Standard Bred Dual Purpose Bird Thread.

just stumbled across this thread, featured on the home page. I have read through this entire thread, lots of fantastic ideas! I have a breeder line dark Cornish rooster, he covers my EE flock currently. This is my 6th year working on this flock. My F1 EEs were created with a true Lavender ameraucana. I then gave him heavy breed hens such as Orp, Brahma and Rocks for his new hens. Hatched them, kept the best for size, weight and temperament. I didn't keep data since I just found your thread. Late this summer I introduced my DC fella to those F1 hens. I've not hatched from this line yet, frankly been too busy for chicks.
Although its not been mentioned that I saw, I also breed for demeanor. Yes they are meant for our table. Folks starting out on a new project might want to consider this too. Having an aggressive bird isn't safe for kids or elderly. I think this is just as important as our final production of meat birds. Since I free range daily, care for my Dad full time and have a grandchild.. This is all part of decision making for us as far as a "keeper" for breeding stock; hens or roosters.

Temperament is one of my main criteria when selecting keepers. I have just started my "meat" line so I only have a few on the ground with a few more due this Saturday. My main roos are mellow and my favorite boy throws super mellow offspring.

Yes i also look at how they act with me, chicks , other roos/cockerels and especially with hens.
Right now I have some that were in the running for next years roos, but have bought a ticket on the freezer camp bus do to their actions.
One in the bachelor pad has a fixation on my shoes and will not let most of the other cockerels eat in the bachelor pad (he is not the dominate cockerel).. I had high hopes for him until this .... he is very broad and heavy ...May wait and see if he gets over my shoes, and how he is when the next batch of bachelors need to go in there..
one in the main coop goes out of his way to chase 4 wk old chicks of any sex , him and another in a different coop are chasing broody hens with chicks ... they definitely are going to freezer camp sooner than later.
I usually run 2 roos in 2 coops that have 20 hens and 1 roo in a coop with 10 hens. The dominant roo and a younger son subordinate cockerel/roo that grows up in there. So far I don't have a new 2nd cockerel for those coops, but there are still plenty of chicks on the ground. So hopefully one will be worthy LOL.. Most of the current roos/cockerels are part cx and they tend to get too big to breed without damaging the hens as they mature.

Fentress said:

I have some standard bred BR, that are massive, beautiful birds, but not very productive. Make a good roaster after 28 weeks. I just ordered some Freedom Rangers from the Freedom Ranger Hatchery in Pa. in order to have some tender meat, and just on a whim added in some Henry Nole New Hampshire's. Supposedly a true DP bird leaning toward meat production. He also breeds hybrids, so I am assuming he understands how to breed for production. He makes the statement, that they breed true, so it sounds like he has done a lot of crossing, which Based on the two photos available, would appear to be the case, not exactly SOP compliant. At this point I don't care, if I could have POL at 6 months and decent tender carcass at 14 weeks I would be more than pleased. Is anyone familar with this line of chickens? Thanks.

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Henry Nole sp is a quality breeder with a long line of accomplishments attesting to his ability.
Don’t know about his Barred Rock but his New Hampshire line is meat production even to body shape.
Definitely not dual purpose.
Fantastic for what they are bred for.