Red Laced Cornish X and project talk (pics p. 8)

nchvac-

It just doesn't seem a worthy project. It's your time and goal but I'd think your goal of meat would be better obtained elsewhere. The thing is you can eat any bird, it doesn't need to be a meat or dual purpose. Leghorns do indeed taste like chicken, they just won't have the breast size your maybe wanting. But that in itself is nullified by making small dual purpose/meat birds. So you see where I'm going with this. Just raise leghorns. If you want something else then go that route but making a project of mini sized plump birds because you've space limitations doesn't seem a fulfilling endeavor. Show quality leghorns and eating the cockerels or even moving over to show quality Andalusion (though that makes for less eggs). With space limitations and wanting eggs an idea of not quite bantam bird for a sole breed for me would be Jearhon.

Come to think of it- Rhode Island Reds come in bantam. There's a meat and egg bird pre-made.
 
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I will check those breeds. I was thinking about Australorp as well and hear they are a good egg layer and lay year round, but I seem to find a lot of inconsistency with chickens producing what they are supposed to. I found someone local with Buckeyes but she said hers are 11 months old and have yet to lay an egg. So much for that.

I don't mind a dual purpose chicken at all. I had a nice Barred Rock of some of the best stock in the country that I could find (Disney). He just didn't have enough room to do his business in the hutch and would clobber the hens the minute I let him out each morning (they were pined up together at all times, just evidently couldn't get on top in the hutch, which is probably 2 foot + tall. He did not have a good heritage personality either and that got him into trouble with attacking my wife and dog but I could pick him up and rock him like a baby with not problems whatsoever. I hated dispatching him but I would rather hold my wife than a rooster.

Tell ya the truth, I would like to find a breed to really get behind and be proud of. I really do like the Cornish and have for years so I will likely go with LF Cornish and maybe Australorps or Leghorns for eggs, though some of these hatchery Cornish do seem to produce eggs well, but appear to be lacking in the meat and legs department.
 
this is number 1 he is 13 weeks old and weighs 9lbs
19992_pops_concert_059.jpg

this is number 6 (I think) he is 11 weeks old and weighs 7lbs
19992_pops_concert_053.jpg

19992_pops_concert_056.jpg

19992_pops_concert_055.jpg

the varied sizes are due to age differences
Are these BCM x cX?
this is number 1 he is 13 weeks old and weighs 9lbs
19992_pops_concert_059.jpg

this is number 6 (I think) he is 11 weeks old and weighs 7lbs
19992_pops_concert_053.jpg

19992_pops_concert_056.jpg

19992_pops_concert_055.jpg

the varied sizes are due to age differences
 
I have Large Fowl White Cornish, just getting started with them. I bought from two different breeders and they are totally different lines and each a little different. I plan to raise more pure since they were SO hard to find but on the side, (and hope to them show later) I'll be crossing some other breed hens to see how those cross for meat.

I plan set up a toe punch chart so I can keep track and still allow them to free range or pen a bunch up and know what I have. I may Try to set up a spread sheet to document growth patterns, weights etc. as well as the flavor, if there is any difference. I won't bother with feed charts because they will all get the same. Later, that might be done to narrow down the better individual birds.

Breeds I plan to try,
Araucana (because I already have them and will use my heavier hens) They are chest heavy but could use thigh meat.
Delaware (to make the Corndel cross that was bumped out when the Cornish Crosses took over. 3/4 Cornish 1/4 Delaware) I have a few pullets growing out now.
Bresse (because I have access to some chicks from a friend, she swapped for a pair of my Cornish) They are supposed to be delicious. I have some coming tomorrow.
White Rocks (because I've read they were used in the original CC crosses.) I haven't gotten any yet but have a source.
New Hampshires (because they are supposed to be fantastic meat birds crossed to Delaware....so why not Cornish?) Not found a source yet.

And whatever else I come across that might be a good cross for a good free ranging type that has good growth and feed conversion. I plan to pen and feed the last couple of weeks before butchering or however long needed to finish them. I may do fermented grains instead of the commercial crumbles and will they will all get Fertrell Poultry Minerals as well as grit during the finishing stage. I want my meat healthy.

There won't be a Lot of any particular breed. I'll use the best I can manage, they don't have to be show birds but should exhibit proper type for meat.
 

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