Recent content by ejcate

  1. ejcate

    Good meat breed?

    I am going to raise three Buff Orpingtons as layers, they are about 6 months old now and just starting to lay. I want to raise three meat hens along side them. What are some good/average breeds? - They would need to get along with the Orps - Please state how old they are when they are ready...
  2. ejcate

    Meat and Layer hen- good all-purpose breed?

    ah ha! I just figured it out. I was thinking that ONE dual purpose bird is suitable for laying eggs AND meat. While the truth of the matter is that ONE dual purpose bird would be suitable for laying eggs OR meat. Got it! OK so I think I am convinced to get three 6 month old Buff Orps as my...
  3. ejcate

    Orpington vs. NH Red (Rhode Island Red) vs. Sussex

    OK thank you so much!
  4. ejcate

    Orpington vs. NH Red (Rhode Island Red) vs. Sussex

    Quote: Why are they considered a dual purpose breed if you are supposed to slaughter them before they start laying? If you waiting to slaughter until about 1 year old, would the meat be only good for stewing?
  5. ejcate

    Orpington vs. NH Red (Rhode Island Red) vs. Sussex

    No I wouldn't get them as chicks. Tomorrow there is a chicken swap in my town, and I want to get at least 3 that are just starting to lay. And the other three will be raised as meat birds- so I am trying to find out at what age is best to slaughter them for meat.
  6. ejcate

    Meat and Layer hen- good all-purpose breed?

    Quote: OK..... I am planning on rasing only 6 hens at a time. If I get three laying hens (I am leaning toward the Buff Orpingtons) and I can raise them along side three Cornish x? They can be in the same run/coop and there is no fighting? Buff Orpingtons are known to be really docile and...
  7. ejcate

    Orpington vs. NH Red (Rhode Island Red) vs. Sussex

    I am going to raise 6 hens this spring/summer/fall. I want a dual purpose breed (layer and meat bird). I have wittled it down to three potential breeds: The Buff Orpington, the New Hampshire Red (or Rhode Island Red), and the Sussex. On average, at what age does each start laying and at what...
  8. ejcate

    Meat and Layer hen- good all-purpose breed?

    When do Orpingtons, Sussex and/or Reds reach an optimal slaughtering age?
  9. ejcate

    Meat and Layer hen- good all-purpose breed?

    The Orpingtons look like a nice dual-purpose breed. I read that they start laying around 6 months old, yielding 1 egg every 2-3 days. How can you tell when they have reached a good slaughtering weight? On average how long do they take to reach this weight? I am planning on moving this...
  10. ejcate

    Meat and Layer hen- good all-purpose breed?

    I live in New Hampshire. I have been raising layers for a few years now (only 3 hens per year). I wanted to branch into raising meat hens as well. After reading several threads on the messiness of raising the two kinds of birds together, I am rethinking. Someone mentioned "all-purpose" breeds...
See more
Back
Top Bottom