Best Meat breed that isn't plane white

[Morning Dove]

Hey, we have decided to build a new coop and have a meat flock. I've looked into the cornish x rock, but I'd rather raise something that's not your boring white industrial breed chicken. What's the next best fastest growing meat bird that isn't just white? Also, how much freezer space does 25 birds need?

Dove

 

[danielbrown]

I think these are.
I'm going to try them next year.
www.jmhatchery.com

 

[Mahonri]

Quote:
Color rangers!

 

[ssledoux]

I purchased something called a barred silver from Reichs poultry. They look like barred rocks, but are much more meaty and have the big legs like the cornish. I like them, but boy those roosters get ornery!

 

[ging3rhoffman]

I was wondering the same exact thing...we currently have 12 white rocks and I'm not even sure if they are considered a good meat bird. I dont want the cornish either. Are the "rocks" considered a good meat bird? I've seen where some love the buff orphingtons but i have 2 that are hens and just way to sweet to butcher.

 

[danielbrown]

Quote:
They won't be huge like the Cornish, but they are a good old fashion meat bird.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=163988

 

[farmerlor]

Quote:
Color rangers!

I've heard a lot of good things about the rangers but they are much slower to mature so your feed to meat ratio is going to be a little higher.....or maybe not, since some of those commercial meat chickens can really put the food away.

 

[Morning Dove]

Thanks, I will look into them!

Dove

 

[kinnip]

I think the deal with the rangers is that they are good foragers, so you feed less.

 

[SpringChickens]

Just out of curiosity, why do you want a meat bird that isn't white?