Sex linked dual purpose birds

I've been doing lots of research and I think I've finally figured out what I want to breed - sex linked chickens that are dual purpose, but with emphasis on meat. I don't need a lot of eggs so wouldn't be keeping many pullets, but if they're sex linked I'll have an easy time selling those and keeping the cockerels to butcher. And since the options for sex link are barred or silver, I'd rather have light cockerels that dress out nicely, so I need a "gold" rooster over silver hens. From what I've been able to glean, as far as having a good silver phenotype and good production it looks like Delaware hens are a good bet - they'll throw mostly white cockerels but don't carry dominant white, and were originally bred for meat but focus has moved towards laying since Cornish x took over as meat birds, so they should have good traits for both. And if I use a dark Cornish rooster over them I should get fast growth and a nice carcass, hopefully without being as gross as the commercial Cornish x. I know the pullets won't be exceptional layers like the commercial sex links but should still do ok, maybe make good dual purpose breeding stock for someone who doesn't care about sex linked chicks.

Anyone have any experience with this cross, or a similar one? Particularly regarding ease of sexing, growth rate, and laying ability.

I have been using a New Hampshire rooster over Delaware hens for making sex links. I also use a New Hampshire over Silver Laced Wyandottes. I had a similar situation as you, I wanted some meat birds, so I sell of the hens and process the roosters. My results have been decent. I get a 4 pound processed bird at about 22 weeks. I have not raised any of the hens, but I sold a batch to a friend and he is happy with them. As far as feed conversion goes, you will do a lot better if you let the birds free range during the day, or use a pasture poultry tractor. I have done just high protein feed and they can eat a lot.

They are free ranged. 22 weeks is a long time to wait; I don't need 8 week finish like the commercial cross but hoping the dark Cornish roo will throw them somewhere in between.

zebradreams07 said:

They are free ranged. 22 weeks is a long time to wait; I don't need 8 week finish like the commercial cross but hoping the dark Cornish roo will throw them somewhere in between.

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they aren't sex links, but the freedom Rangers Butcher at 12 weeks, the girls are decent layers and you can Butcher both the pullets and cockerels for eating. Girl chickens taste better than boy chickens anyway?

Yeah, but I can't find them around here and would have to buy them every year. I'm keeping layers anyway so might as well keep ones that throw good meat birds.

According to Tim's chart, that should be a nice clear sex link cross.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/261208/sex-linked-information
I'd think you'll get some good, meaty birds. I got an Oops dark Cornish cockerel this year who is only 2 months old but quite hefty and meaty feeling. I've been thinking to keep him to add some meat to the laying flock. I bought the pullets for broodiness, so that could be a selling point on your pullets, also, a tendency toward broodiness.

That's what I went by Now I just gotta find my birds...

Where are you located?

Enumclaw WA.

Probably a little too far to get my little cockerel to you, then....he's sure a nice looking bird. I keep thinking I want to keep him, but then I look at pens and space and the other projects I've got going and am just not sure how much is possible