Best dual purpose breed for sustainability

[jeffsmith13]

I raise Dominique chickens and if allowed to free range they eat very little feed. They go broody and are just nice birds to have around. Glad to see this thread still going.

 

[countrydream7]

do you really think something will happen to our food source in out time

 

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

Domestic meat is not sustainable in most "survival" scenarios in most situations. Even my mother who grew up poor in Mississippi (she's only 57!) Lived most of her childhood feeling lucky to get to share an old stew hen with the entire family once a week... And then only if they went to grandmother's. Also, looking at third world countries and throughout history in crises situations where progress and modern conveniences are put on hold, meat is a rare commodity. Not because people don't want it or aren't willing to raise it themselves but because they CAN'T feed it. I'll stick with my bantams and be happy with spent hens and spare cockerels for Sunday supper.

 

[countrydream7]

very interesting have bjg chicks and Sussex I want to x them and see how they pan out

 

[TheBanditQueen]

Very cool thread! We have very similar goals for our flock, eventually. Thriftiness and broodiness being the most important qualities.

Interesting to see so many votes for Dominiques and Old English Gamefowl. Sent me on another rabbit trail to do research...I think I might have to look into those two breeds more. I really liked the pictures I saw of OEG...I love colorful chickens!!

 

[cubalaya]

meat prices are going up at the grocery store. better get you some cubalayas. they lay good, are good to eat, can forage, they are thrifty on feed, can brood their own chicks, and can help with bug control. might help if you can get a pig to raise and grow you a garden too

 

[TheBanditQueen]

meat prices are going up at the grocery store. better get you some cubalayas. they lay good, are good to eat, can forage, they are thrifty on feed, can brood their own chicks, and can help with bug control. might help if you can get a pig to raise and grow you a garden too

How are the roosters as far as being aggressive to people?

 

[cubalaya]

they are tame as are my asils. life is too short to deal with mean roosters unless you are eating them.

 

[Michael OShay]

Hi! I need some opinions. I hope I can get some great ideas here! This subject is VERY important to me. Given the following information, what breed do you think best describes what i am looking for? I'd prefer to hear from people who have HAD or currently own these dual purpose breeds. I want to hear from experienced keepers!

I recently overheard people talking and heard someone say "what if people start starving?" With our economy, I immediatly thought of being able to take care of my children.

Due to this, I have been re-thinking my collection of bantams. If things get worse, I would like to have planned ahead and moved to a dual purpose breed so that I can be more sustainable. My bantams just don't lay often enough to support my family if things were to get worse. I know what I am looking for in a breed, but with all the various sites, I am having trouble finding accurate information. It seems that for each breed I look into, several sites say several different things.

I want a dual purpose breed that will forage.

***Has to lay a good to high amount of eggs. (Coop will have windows for winter time)

*** MUST be known to go broody to replenish itself.

Preferably will have a friendly disposition (I have kids).

Winter hardy (I live in Northwest Ohio)

I'd prefer the color`variety to be black to help it blend into my woods when foraging for camoflage. Partridge would fit this well too though. (part of the woods is a fenced in "pasture" full of bugs and other yummies)

Size is not that important. I dont have to have HUGE birds, but enough meat on their bones is good too.

*************************************

The breeds I have been looking into are:

Black Orpington (however, I can get 40+ buff orpingtons eggs right now for FREE)

Black Wyandotte

Black Austrolorpe (did I spell that right?)

PLEASE NOTE: I would be looking for more "utility" in the egg laying department over show quality. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Show qaulity chickens, but for this flock, my interest is SOLELY in production.

For me, the most important aspects are

GOOD egg production AND ability to brood.

I will keep a small flock of silkies as a brood back-up plan....

I hope that this doesn't sound paranoid. But I dont want to sit there and starve and think "man I wish I would have...."

Please let me know what ***YOU*** feel would be the best breed....

 

[TheBanditQueen]

they are tame as are my asils. life is too short to deal with mean roosters unless you are eating them.

LOL! Right!