Best chicken to eat...

[U_Stormcrow]

Just my opinion, and it is worth every penny you are paying for it, but I think maybe getting the Cornish X to free range may come under the heading of trying to make them into something they are not. However some people do seem to be successful at it. Personally, I think if you want a chicken to free range you would be better off with another variety of meat chicken. For what is it worth, I raised mine in a 12' X 12' box stall that had excellent ventilation but was free of drafts. I bedded them on shavings and I added shavings as needed. Used a LOT of shavings. I cleaned the stall only after the chickens were gone. My chickens ate a lot, pooped even more, but grew very very fast. I kept mine longer than most people because I liked big eleven and twelve pound roasters, but that is me. Had one dress out at over 16 pounds but I don't suggest anyone do that. I cooked him like a turkey and he was the best turkey I ever ate. My chickens were plump, meaty, tender, and the best chicken I ever had. The way I raised them was probably not the most economical way to do it, but it was almost labor free. Chores took about ten minutes morning and night.

Not just your opinion - it was my first flock, like most, I didn't know much about what I was doing - having read a few books, and not much else. Worse, it was near the start of the pandemic, and I live in the middle of nowhere - so I bought the birds I could, whatever birds were available, whenever I was in town. Often, they would sell out before I could complete the 40 minute drive in.

So yes, I tried to make them into something they weren't intended to be - and worse, because my only males were CX, I tried to restrict feed until they were old enough to "do the deed" until I could locate a replacement Roo.

Learned a lot, making mistakes of necessity. Which Is why I shared my experience above, so others need not repeat my mistakes unless they wish to.

 

[Geena]

CornishX are the fastest growing, cheapest and easiest by far, but IMO they are nowhere near the best tasting. Even home grown cornishX seem rather bland to me compared to a good dual purpose bird.

 

[cassie]

CornishX are the fastest growing, cheapest and easiest by far, but IMO they are nowhere near the best tasting. Even home grown cornishX seem rather bland to me compared to a good dual purpose bird.

The flavor, or lack of it, you mention has less to do with the breed and more to do with the age of the chicken when it is butchered.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

The flavor, or lack of it, you mention has less to do with the breed and more to do with the age of the chicken when it is butchered.

and, to some extent, the diet and exercise program.

 

[Geena]

the age of the chicken when it is butchered.

the diet and exercise

All of the above, and the breed can make a difference as well as far as flavor, texture and color of the meat.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

All of the above, and the breed can make a difference as well as far as flavor, texture and color of the meat.

x2 on this. While not (at all) comparable to CX for growth rate, French Black Copper Marans are outstanding for flavor...and I say this having raised and eaten American Bresse, production reds, Wyandottes, Black Australorps, and a number of other dual-purpose breeds (and mixes). All raised similarly, fed similarly, processed at similar ages, but varying in flavor, meat color, and texture.

 

[Lauravonsmurf]

I don’t think Cornish X taste good. Some people love their meat, I just don’t and so stopped eating chicken as it is industry standard now. Only way I will eat chicken again is if I kill my own. I agree they grow fast, but I do not like their taste.

 

[CNJ]

The Barbeziuex chicken is for the epicure person (a person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment, especially good food and drink). It has a unique smell and taste when roasted and the breast meat is kind of like dark meat. However, they take very long to reach mature weight. They keep growing after one year.

 

[Isadora]

The Barbeziuex chicken is for the epicure person (a person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment, especially good food and drink). It has a unique smell and taste when roasted and the breast meat is kind of like dark meat. However, they take very long to reach mature weight. They keep growing after one year.

 

[rascal66]

Just my opinion, and it is worth every penny you are paying for it, but I think maybe getting the Cornish X to free range may come under the heading of trying to make them into something they are not. However some people do seem to be successful at it. Personally, I think if you want a chicken to free range you would be better off with another variety of meat chicken. For what is it worth, I raised mine in a 12' X 12' box stall that had excellent ventilation but was free of drafts. I bedded them on shavings and I added shavings as needed. Used a LOT of shavings. I cleaned the stall only after the chickens were gone. My chickens ate a lot, pooped even more, but grew very very fast. I kept mine longer than most people because I liked big eleven and twelve pound roasters, but that is me. Had one dress out at over 16 pounds but I don't suggest anyone do that. I cooked him like a turkey and he was the best turkey I ever ate. My chickens were plump, meaty, tender, and the best chicken I ever had. The way I raised them was probably not the most economical way to do it, but it was almost labor free. Chores took about ten minutes morning and night.

Definitely not easy, but we have been able to successfully free range our Cornish. We feed a little less and butcher a little later but we still end up with large meaty birds. We process as 10-12 weeks with an average of 5lbs easy. The grass really helps improve the flavor as well, I think.