Mrs. Mucket :
I am another Freedom Ranger fan (for fast growth and tastiness), but I've also heard that Delawares and New Hampshire Reds can be ready in 12 weeks. Anyone have experience with them?
This June was my first go at a meat bird and I too shied of the CornishX. After some research I decided to experiment. Mixing "dual purpose" breeds (5-RIR, 5-NHR, 5-Delaware, 5-Buff Orpington, & 10-SLW) I ordered 30 birds from E-fowl. There were two packing peanuts too.
They were all fed a starter grower ration (20% protein) for 4wks. Then I switched to a meat making ration (23% protein) for 12wks.
$$$$$$
In my experience none of these breeds were ready at 12wks. I butchered 3 SLW and 1 Delaware (all cockerels) at 13wks of age. Feather pecking on only these four caused me to get the axe.
The DEL weighed dressed out at 4lbs and SLWs just over three pounds each. While the SLW weighed less they had more meat to their carcass. The DELs weight was mostly in bone.
In my experience the Del while a large bird and rather quick developing bird takes until +/- 20wks to fill in. And they do fill in. I butchered three more DELs at 21wks and got dressed out birds weighing 5.25, 5.5 and 5.5lbs. With a lot more meat on them than the 3 more SLWs and 1 Buff Orpington I butchered the same week. I still have 1, the biggest, of those DELs (Leo) and he goes over 9lbs strutting.
The NHR feathered the quickest with the DELs being a close second.