Best meat/egg chicken breed.

I have few chicks cross between RIR hen and BCM rooster. Will see how they turn out in few months.

ShadyHoller said:

I've got only good things to say about both Delawares and Austrolorpes. We've had wonderful results with a cross between DE x RIR - they embody the best of both breeds: the cockerels get big (and delicious) and the hens lay well. And they are mellow. The funny thing is, before Pringle wrote to suggest the Austrolorpe, I was just toying with the idea of breeding Austrolorpe into our DE x RIR crosses, to create the Super Mongrel.

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Did you ever do the cross above? How did it work out?

speedy2020 said:

I have few chicks cross between RIR hen and BCM rooster. Will see how they turn out in few months.

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So how did they turn out?

We have found that the heritage and some american breeds are the best at being dual purpose with a plus in raising more from starter stock. In our experience all the breeds mentioned are considered good meat/egg birds and most of the roo's are ready in about 12 to 16 weeks on 18% protein feed. They usually dress out at 4-6 lbs. and are tender due to young age. Our personal favorites are the Buff Orpington, New Hampshire Red, Black Australorp and the Delaware. Once up to laying age the girls average 5 eggs out of 7 days (of course some lay everyday). The Salmon Faverells are an exceptional breed that has been around for centuries and you can sex them by the time they are 3 weeks old (sometimes at 2 weeks, depends on when the wing feathers come in). They are gentle in nature, broody and all around nice chicken to have, plus to me they are really good looking! All of our chickens are on a natural diet and housed separate to keep the breeds true but for a backyard flock you can mix and match them because they all get along well with each other.
P.S. I keep saying "we" because it is myself and my hubby here at the farm and we share it all.

Dena777 said:

... The Salmon Faverells are an exceptional breed that has been around for centuries and you can sex them by the time they are 3 weeks old (sometimes at 2 weeks, depends on when the wing feathers come in). They are gentle in nature, broody and all around nice chicken to have, plus to me they are really good looking! ...

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Hi Dena,
Have you crossed Salmon Faverells to any other breeds, if so what were the results?
JAC

We actually keep our breeds separated so that they stay a true breed.

Is it okay to have both Australorps and Delwares? I'm new to this!

PuckPuckPuck said:

Orpington: 8 lb Dual Purpose [formerly Meat] average to above average brown eggs frequent, brooder; excellent mother very cold hardy moderately early maturing adaptable to free range; very adaptable to confinement; docile; more easily handled; can be bullied. Good winter layers


Henderson's Handy-Dandy Chicken Chart

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That link didn’t work. Is this the chart?
http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html