Am I on track?

[Surburban Homesteader]

Hello everyone!

I'm new to BYC, and in fact don't have any birds yet, to many questions.... like...

If I get some straight run peeps of a hybrid breed, can I raise the roos to a the point before they start crowing and then "harvest" them?

Do most of you dress your own birds? Would there probably be a local poultry farm that would do it for me? Would this make financial sense?

Thanks for your help!

Warren

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

read teh stickies on top of this thread, then do A LOT of back reading here as well and you will find more than justthe answers to your questions!

and WELCOME!

 

[mrsteiner]

I'm fairly new here too, and did a little homework before I ordered my first chicks. I asked around at meat markets to find a poultry processor. Everyone kept referring me to the same place. I found another just by happening by their plant. One charges $1.75 and doesn't package the meat, (he puts them in ice water and then into a cooler you provide). The second place charges $2.25 each but weighs and packages them. They also will cut up the chicken for an extra charge.

I'm using organic feed, and pasture and I figured that I will have about $4.25 invested in each bird. That is much cheaper than the $12.00 I pay for organic chicken at Costco.

 

[Country Parson]

If you are planning on using the extra roos for meat, then you need to choose your breed carefully. Most hybrid breeds have small bodies (the energy goes into making eggs, not muscle). I have some ISA Browns (also known as Golden Comets, among other names). They are by far by best layers, but are tiny birds.

A better option for you is one of the heritage breeds. I would recommend one of the "Rock" varieties (white rock, plymouth rock). They are larger-bodied birds, and lay pretty good. In fact, I think the White Rock was used (in part) to create the modern industry meat bird.

With a heritage bird:

1. You will be keeping part of American history alive
2. Will have a bird designed & breed for backyard flocks (friendly, calm, etc).
3. A decent layer
4. A decent meat bird

Other can tell you about other heritage breeds. My experience is limited to White Rock, Plymouth Rock, and Buff Orpington (this last are the gentlest birds I've ever owned, and roughly the size of the Rocks).

 

[Arielle]

Processing. That's been my biggest stumbling block. One nearby processing plant charges $4.50 per chicken and $10 per turkey. Recently heard of another, but don't have a name or cost yet. Wouldn't mind having it done at home by a skilled processor.

You're asking great questions!!! You might want to lurk about, the old posts are full of good info. GL

 

[Surburban Homesteader]

Thank you all for your input! I have to make it to the farmers market one of these Saturdays.

 

[Connorrm]

When I was researching breeds I heard a lot of good things about the delawares as well!