Hello, I was very brave yesterday and took all 5 of my cocks to be made ready for the oven! How I ended up with 5 cocks, I suppose I was just unlucky in my hatching rate, I love to incubate my own chicks and have done now on a couple of occasions, but This time I incubated little bantams frazzled and pekin chicks, so I know I'm not going to get a lot of meat off them. Nether the less I have asked the farmer to have them back, as if there is not enough for us. I will cook up for the dogs. I keep telling myself I have to do this through the guilt, If I can to eat them I can't incubate again! Also my poor little hens were being raped left right and centre, and things are certainly a lot calmer out there this morning, I' m sure my neighbours were great-full for the lay in this morning My question is really, as I hate waste and want to do the right thing! What are the best breeds for dual use, great hen egg layers and cocks decent size meat dinners able to fed a family,of 5. Ideally before they start cockadoodledoing. So if I do incubate again, I'm doing so for a purpose and not just for the fun and then hassle of trying to get rid off cocks! Also I know some of you eat your hens after egg production, what age do you do this? Mind you I have a 4 year old out there who hasn't laid a egg for the best part of 6 months and my little red I could never eat her, she is one of my best friends. I am in the U.K ! Many thanks Karen .
Plymouth Barred Rocks. Your question leads inevitably to an opinion. So in my opinion... Barred Rocks. I like to process mine in the 16-18 week old period for cockerels. Great meat on the bone and really good layers even in the winter months. Wish ya the best.
I have a few rocks that are growing fast, and seem to be nice calm birds. I also have Langshans that grow really big, and are very calm and good winter layers, but grow slow. Thinking of moving to the rocks.
I really like my australorps. We have some production reds, too- they're a bit feisty and sometimes bully the australorps- about time for me to send some roosters to the freezer
I received an order of eggs today and I'm thrilled. Plymouth White Rocks. They grow big and are easy going.
All good suggestions but please note a peice of information was unintentionally left out-- these are likely to all be breeder bred lines. Not what you would find via a hatchery in general. Good quality white chanties can be had from Cackle this year as they are from gregg oakes and another line. Or buy from him direct next year. Buckeyes are usually bred for meat, and egg production good. See Chris McCarthy. Or pm me. Find TheDragonLady for great buff orpingtons. kfacres for cornish. Go to the heritage thread and ask there for a source. Most all are breeding to improve their birds. There are many more. THe line is more important than the breed.