Best Meat Bird other than Cx at my Hatchery

[PlumpChicken]

I just finished my fist batch ever of meat chickens in May and the project went pretty good. I raised 50 rock cross and I probably will never raise that breed again. The process and the project went well but I was not happy with the birds and the overall condition. I was happy to see how fast they finished out but they just sat there and got fat... did not move around much and did not seem happy or healthy. I have ample room for them to move around but they just did nothing...

I am going to do another batch of 50 and I am thinking about doing New Hampshire Reds this time. I am looking for some advice on weather or not this breed is the best option for me meat wise. This is where I get my chickens.

townlinehatchery.com

From the available options that they offer what do you think my best option for a fairly fast growing but healthy bird is. I am looking for a bird that will mature in 12-15 maybe 16 weeks. I will get a straight run and finish them off as early as possible.

Thanks for any and all advice.

Ben

 

[jerryb]

I have some new hampshires and I think they will do OK for you as meat birds so long as you know that:

A you will get a smaller carcass, similar in size to the whole fryers found in the store, around 3 - 3.5 lbs
B the meat will be a darker meat than your CXs
C the cost per pound will be more
D they will taste delicious


We had a hen who had a bad prolapse around 26 weeks so I butchered her and she made a very nice dinner for us that evening.

Jerry

 

[PlumpChicken]

Could you possibly offer your opinion on what my best option would be from the selection my hatchery offers. I posted the link above.

I just want to try something different that the Rock Cross this batch. I know nothing will grow as fast.

Thanks!

 

[booker81]

These were two roos from TSC here, which I believe gets their chicks from Townline (Townline is a couple hours or so away). They were 17 weeks I think - about 3.5lbs if I remember right. One is Silver Laced Wyandotte, one is a Rhode Island Red.



Is there a particular reason you want to use Townline? If there is, maybe do their "assorted heavy" mix and see what you like more. Otherwise, I know a lot of people like the Freedom Rangers. I've not really noticed much of a difference in the various breeds of young roosters I pick up that are hatchery birds - they all dress about the same weight for their ages. The only time I was surprised was when I picked up some cull roosters from a quality breed. They were blue laced red wyandottes, and at 20 weeks they were quite large and meaty.

I'll take in and process any chickens I get free, but I now use them for stock and soup making. I like my CX for roasting. The young roos I cooked up in the dutch oven were tasty, but the skin (my favorite part) was thicker. The meat is firmer (which is awesome for stuff like soups and enchiladas). The breast was much smaller, but the thighs and legs were a bit bigger than a CX at that weight. I like dark meat, but DH and DD like white meat more, and there was just enough for them. They usually can only finish off one of my CX 5-6lb birds breast.

 

[PlumpChicken]

Well Townline is about 20 mins from my house so it is easier to just drive down and pick up my order of chicks than have them shipped. Also my wife and I know one of the owners.

I am looking for opinions on what my best choice is for a meat bird from the selection Townline offers. (other than Cx) I just want to try something different this batch. Also I have been doing a lot of reading and I am not sure I think that the Cx is the type of bird I want to raise/eat. Nothing against the breed or people who raise them. I just think there is a better chicken out there for me.

Townline's website: http://www.townlinehatchery.com/hatcherychicks.htm

 

[booker81]

If you don't mind doing only roos, I'd do their assorted heavy cockerals. At $40 for 50 of them, it's a good price, and I don't think you'll find a lot of difference between the breeds (other than ones like Leghorns, but they have those priced separate (cheaper). I've heard stated a few times that all roos house better than a lot of roos with hens, since they'll start acting pretty randy and obnoxious when they hit their puberty around 8-12 weeks.

I've processed RIR, various Wyandottes, and Barred Rocks as young roosters, and for 16-20 weeks, usually have a 3-4lb carcass from them that look like the ones I've posted. The only difference is their feathers, but they all look the same to me when they're in the freezer

 

[PlumpChicken]

So if I did the Assorted Heavy Cockerels (Hatchery Choice Only, No Cornish) $40 for 50 I would get random heavy breeds of chickens that were all roosters?

If I kept then for 16 to 18 weeks by that time would they all be aggressive and fighting with each other? I have never raised roosters or had chickens for that long. My last batch was a straight run of Cx and I finished them at 8 weeks. I just don't know what to expect raising an assorted heavy batch of cockerels.

Also would these be 1 day old baby chicks or is a cockerel older?

Thanks for the help.

 

[booker81]

So if I did the Assorted Heavy Cockerels (Hatchery Choice Only, No Cornish) $40 for 50 I would get random heavy breeds of chickens that were all roosters?

Yup. It would be the hatchery choice, but probably a random mix of different breeds. As they grew, you would be able to tell what breeds they were, and if you favored one over the other, you would know for sure what ones to order next time - or if you even noticed a carcass difference. If there isn't much carcass difference, then you can save on ordering by breed.

If I kept then for 16 to 18 weeks by that time would they all be aggressive and fighting with each other? I have never raised roosters or had chickens for that long. My last batch was a straight run of Cx and I finished them at 8 weeks. I just don't know what to expect raising an assorted heavy batch of cockerels.

From what I understand, as long as you don't have hens to fight over, they won't be too nuts - probably much easier than raising a straight run and having way too many roosters fighting over hens and abusing the hens from overbreeding. They'll probably act like teenage boys still, but by the time they are getting too rowdy, it's time for freezer camp.

Also would these be 1 day old baby chicks or is a cockerel older?

They should be all one day olds. The roos are cheaper because a lot more people will be ordering pullets only, so they need a outlet for all the roosters that are hatched out. The hatchery can sell the roos cheap or they can kill them - selling them cheap makes better business sense

 

[Mama Rae]

I also ordered a mix of heavy breed cockerels, they are now 2 weeks old, and I'm wondering how long they need "starter" feed. What are your plans? What percentage of protein is ideal for meat birds?
Thanks and good luck!

 

[kizanne]

I've found that starter is not necessary. I use it til I run out and switch over to broiler. Remember in the 'wild' babies don't have a grinder. When I switch to broiler I just sprinkle a little grit on it for good measure. Higher protein makes anything grow a little faster. I raise all my birds meat or not on 19% protein. I'll throw in extra protein in the form of meal worms for my meaties, of course I also use the meal worms to treat train my layers. The layers just get less. I raise mine in smaller batches so I just throw a 1/2 cup or so of meal worms into the pen twice a day for the first few weeks to help with the protein and amino acids.


P.S. Most people raise meat on 22% some even higher.