Best dual purpose breed for sustainability

[phasianidae]

Quote:
x2 that is one of the best things I have ever read on this forum

 

[phasianidae]

My OEGBs are amazing layers, outstanding foragers, outstanding broodies, and still carry a respectable amount of meat. They also did fine in our MN winter in an uninsulated, unheated barn.

 

[RareBreedFancier]

Quote:
I have a resident breeding pair of Goshawks in this area and visiting eagles spotted occasionally. My lawn pets, Silkies and Bantie Cochins have solid roofed pens because I know they hawks would take them if they could get to them.

My LF have had a hawk sitting on the wire roof of their pen in the morning so they know they are here. When ranging the roosters diligently keep watch and one squawk will send the flock running for cover. I find while the hens are busy foraging the roos are scanning the sky for danger. They are also smart enough to put themselves away in their roofed pen if they want a midday snooze.

Cover and color is going to be an important consideration. My white puffball Silkie on the lawn would be history. My Welsummer hen in my veggie patch is nearly impossible to find even when I know she's in there somewhere.

If the visiting eagle could catch the chickens without cover it isn't going to care how big the chickens are.

 

[backyardmenagerie]

Quote:
x2

 

[wingsofglory]

In the meatbird section, there a lot of good reviews of Buckeyes. They are a dark brown for camoflage, good foragers, do go broody, and are good enough for both eggs and meat.

About the hiding - the poster said his flock of twenty or so eating happily, disappeared right in front of him in short grass when the roo gave the alarm call.

 

[Jake Levi]

Check out the Iowa Blues ,

excellent rangers, hawk smart, roos will attack hawks, but nice around people, good size, good layers,

Sandhill Preservation Center has chicks, also other dual purpose homestead breeds. Including Doms. And I think Buckeyes.

 

[cubalaya]

gallo is right about the cubalaya. they can forage, be broody, lay a good amount of eggs and have prime white meat. the black australorp is a great layer and good for meat. the delaware will lay a big brown egg that you could sell to buy more feed plus they grow faster for meat production. my personal opinion is that for the best of dual purpose get some heritage delawares, black australorps, or cubalayas. the buff orpington needs lots of food.

 

[punky rooster]

Quote:
Buckeyes are superb dual purpose birds. I have heard from a great breeder that when he free ranges, they a eat lot less. Plus they are very hardy, friendly and good layers, I have three hens I get at least 1 a day, usually 3.
the cool part; they originated in Ohio, named after the buckeye seed. perfect for you, no? And the only breed created solely by a woman.

Picture of mine in about 1 and 1/2 feet of snow.
Most of the breeds mentioned would also make great choices. Remember, the choose the breed you like best and have fun!

 

[schellie69]

My grand parents had a mixed flock during the depresion they had BR, RIR, and few others they let them free range the farm they had a place in the barn to roost and lay their eggs and brood eggs the only feed they got where some kitchen scraps and maybe a hand full of dried corn. They did fine maybe having a mix flocked and having some barnyard mixes is the way to go just a thought.

 

[ole red]

the point about people really useing thier chickens, and haveing the light breeds is a good one, years ago most of the people in my part of the world that really raised chickens, and depended on em, always mixed some game in em.

i'd give anything if there were still some of those chickens around, but they're gone and so are the old folks that raised em.

i been trying trying to start my own similar to these, been working on it a few years. i started em with some buff rock, rir, newhampshire, afew others and several game hens. they suit me well. we eat alot of chickens and eggs.

are they the largest meat birds? no,,,, but gray squirrells taste better than reds, cotton tail rabbits taste better than swamp rabbits, and i think this size chicken taste better than the bigger birds.

they are egg laying machines.

these crossed chickens set well, raise plenty and are good foragers and momma's.

with the game crossed in em i get lots of dark colors and patterns,,, even though i don't think camoflage is that big of a deal when it comes to predators,,, they are looking for movement, not color. my worst predators are bobcats, they will ease around the fence rows and thickets, i would say the clucking of momma hens, chirping of chicks, and the scratching in leaves, is about all the tip off they need, no matter what the color of chicken.

it's also alot easier to keep mixed bred chickens without haveing to worry about keeping them seperated, i do not let anything get mixed in my flock w, topknots, beards, feathers on thier legs, easter eggs, or any other exotic stuff though.