BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[DesertChic]

I suppose the system is rotten through the core. The PO still wants a tax put upon Internet Transmissions to help keep them afloat. If they were to get such a cursed law passed, they would just spend the money on pay hikes for the bloated bureaucracy and continue to raise rates every 9 months!!!!!!!

Ah...looks like Turk has wheedled his supervisor so he can have off Sunday. He should arrive here with the adult NN hens sometime around 3:30 AM, Saturday.

Yay! No poultry farm is complete without NNs.

 

[hellbender]

That seems to be the case...lol

I have a batch of 'SPECIAL' NN chicks that are a bit over 3 weeks old but they won't be able to contribute until cold weather time...I won't even mess with using them for anything other than entertainment (love to watch them) until late spring of next year.

 

[DesertChic]

That seems to be the case...lol

I have a batch of 'SPECIAL' NN chicks that are a bit over 3 weeks old but they won't be able to contribute until cold weather time...I won't even mess with using them for anything other than entertainment (love to watch them) until late spring of next year.

I'm looking forward to breeding mine this coming fall. The girl's eggs are finally getting big enough for me to start hatching. I've got three cockerels from two different lines. The first breeding will involve the only cockerel that hates my husband and son. Then, once I have all the eggs I want from his time with the ladies, I'm inviting him to dinner on behalf of my guys.

 

[hellbender]

I'm looking forward to breeding mine this coming fall. The girl's eggs are finally getting big enough for me to start hatching. I've got three cockerels from two different lines. The first breeding will involve the only cockerel that hates my husband and son. Then, once I have all the eggs I want from his time with the ladies, I'm inviting him to dinner on behalf of my guys.

Life is all about choices...

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Howdy! I was directed over to this thread with my NN breeding questions, so I hope you don't mind. Here goes:

I am going to be raising my first Cornish crosses this fall (once temps begin to go back down), but am interested in pursuing Naked Necks for meat the following year. I understand that Naked necks are a lot easier to raise in the very high temperatures we get here in South Texas, and they are a common meat chicken raised and sold at Farmers Markets here (and are sought after by consumers). While I have admittedly limited experience with tastes of different breeds, I do know that while both were better than grocery store chicken, Naked Necks were miles ahead of CXs in terms of taste (from same farm, though I don't know which regimen the CXs were raised under, vs. NN which were pasture ranged). Smaller and not as much breast meat, but DANG if that bird wasn't AMAZING! They are popular here so they are often sold out/wait-listed for our more local hatchery (Ideal) pretty fast, it seems. I want to go ahead and get on the waitlist for them for 2016 with Ideal, but I wanted to ask you fine folks about your experiences (hot weather or otherwise):


1. Have you raised pure Naked necks for meat? If so, what were your experiences - any tips?



2. I am considering trying NN crosses for meat as well. Ideally something so I can hatch myself from parents in my flock (or have them raised by a broody, I suppose). Thoughts running through my head now (keep in mind - my head is spinning because of all the reading on this subforum) are the following. I'm interested in thoughts as to direction of cross either way as well (e.g., I've read that Dark Cornish should the be rooster in crosses for better meaty results in offspring).


- NN x Black Copper Maran (as I am considering having a BCM rooster anyway - see below)
- NN x Dark Cornish (apparently the DC from Ideal are from meaty production lines, not show lines, so liking this idea)
- NN x White-laced Red Cornish
- NN x Delaware (Supposedly early-ish maturing and heat hardy)
- NN x New Hampshire Red (Supposedly very early maturing, which I like the sound of, and heat hardy. Really liking this idea.)
- NN x Australorp (Supposedly early-ish maturing and heat hardy)
- NN x Dominique
- NN x Dixie rainbow (I understand the Dixies handle heat poorly, but are otherwise great meat birds and layers, so very interested in this - but would worry about keeping parent alive in heat! Maybe Dixie roo that I can keep in cooler batchelor pad?)
- NN x other???
- NN x Cornish Cross broiler (I'm just curious how well this went if anyone tried it)


Some background info - currently I have three crested cream leg bars, and was planning to add some nice non-hatchery black copper marans to the flock next spring when I build my larger coop, with the goal of egg color variety/quality for that part of the flock (blue, dark brown, and making olive egger crosses with a BCM roo). As I am getting CXs this fall, and I have also been reading a lot of wonderful info on raising them so that they can have a (somewhat) longer life and have babies (thank you especially to JessicaThistle and duluthralphie, RIP Sunny and Bert), I am also open to raising a CX hen on restricted feed and crossing her as well. BUT, I am totally interested in hearing about all other cross ideas. I am not needing/requiring lots of breast meat (not a deal breaker, I'm ok if it's a good meat bird with legs/thighs, etc.), but am interested in hearing about any crosses that did increase breast meat (I'm thinking the Cornish crosses with NN would do that). Also interested in any comments on whether the other pure parent of a given cross might not handle heat well, as that may eliminate some options. Oh, and I am not looking to sell meat or anything - this is for my own consumption (and probably to barter for milk, etc.).

I understand that a NN cross (true homozygous NN parent to non NN parent) will not have all babies with fully naked necks, and may try F1 crosses to ultimately get back to homozygous NN with more meaty genes mixed in (am I crazy for thinking this is possible?). (Correct me if I'm wrong - I need to read more about NN genetics, but that's another thread.)

I have been able to handle heat well so far with my current tiny flock using just ice in their water, as their housing and run are in 100% full shade under a big tree with good breezes, and it seems never to get all that hot under there despite crazy hot days (though summer's not over yet). I just know that larger meaty birds might have a harder time with heat and I want to stack the deck more in their favor by having them have fewer feathers. (Easier plucking is also a bonus!)

I'll be planning to get my NN from Ideal - I am thinking/hoping that they are a good source for a meat bred NN. But I did note that S&G has NN listed under "broilers", so I guess that's a good sign as well. (Any tips on hatcheries with good meat-type NNs?)

Now I'm off to make a cup of tea and read this whole thread from the beginning. Thanks!!!!

- Ant Farm

Edited to add: Should have looked first, seems to already be good NN info here. I'm reading now...

 

[hellbender]

Howdy! I was directed over to this thread with my NN breeding questions, so I hope you don't mind. Here goes:

I am going to be raising my first Cornish crosses this fall (once temps begin to go back down), but am interested in pursuing Naked Necks for meat the following year. I understand that Naked necks are a lot easier to raise in the very high temperatures we get here in South Texas, and they are a common meat chicken raised and sold at Farmers Markets here (and are sought after by consumers). While I have admittedly limited experience with tastes of different breeds, I do know that while both were better than grocery store chicken, Naked Necks were miles ahead of CXs in terms of taste (from same farm, though I don't know which regimen the CXs were raised under, vs. NN which were pasture ranged). Smaller and not as much breast meat, but DANG if that bird wasn't AMAZING! They are popular here so they are often sold out/wait-listed for our more local hatchery (Ideal) pretty fast, it seems. I want to go ahead and get on the waitlist for them for 2016 with Ideal, but I wanted to ask you fine folks about your experiences (hot weather or otherwise):


1. Have you raised pure Naked necks for meat? If so, what were your experiences - any tips?



2. I am considering trying NN crosses for meat as well. Ideally something so I can hatch myself from parents in my flock (or have them raised by a broody, I suppose). Thoughts running through my head now (keep in mind - my head is spinning because of all the reading on this subforum) are the following. I'm interested in thoughts as to direction of cross either way as well (e.g., I've read that Dark Cornish should the be rooster in crosses for better meaty results in offspring).


- NN x Black Copper Maran (as I am considering having a BCM rooster anyway - see below)
- NN x Dark Cornish (apparently the DC from Ideal are from meaty production lines, not show lines, so liking this idea)
- NN x White-laced Red Cornish
- NN x Delaware (Supposedly early-ish maturing and heat hardy)
- NN x New Hampshire Red (Supposedly very early maturing, which I like the sound of, and heat hardy. Really liking this idea.)
- NN x Australorp (Supposedly early-ish maturing and heat hardy)
- NN x Dominique
- NN x Dixie rainbow (I understand the Dixies handle heat poorly, but are otherwise great meat birds and layers, so very interested in this - but would worry about keeping parent alive in heat! Maybe Dixie roo that I can keep in cooler batchelor pad?)
- NN x other???
- NN x Cornish Cross broiler (I'm just curious how well this went if anyone tried it)


Some background info - currently I have three crested cream leg bars, and was planning to add some nice non-hatchery black copper marans to the flock next spring when I build my larger coop, with the goal of egg color variety/quality for that part of the flock (blue, dark brown, and making olive egger crosses with a BCM roo). As I am getting CXs this fall, and I have also been reading a lot of wonderful info on raising them so that they can have a (somewhat) longer life and have babies (thank you especially to JessicaThistle and duluthralphie, RIP Sunny and Bert), I am also open to raising a CX hen on restricted feed and crossing her as well. BUT, I am totally interested in hearing about all other cross ideas. I am not needing/requiring lots of breast meat (not a deal breaker, I'm ok if it's a good meat bird with legs/thighs, etc.), but am interested in hearing about any crosses that did increase breast meat (I'm thinking the Cornish crosses with NN would do that). Also interested in any comments on whether the other pure parent of a given cross might not handle heat well, as that may eliminate some options. Oh, and I am not looking to sell meat or anything - this is for my own consumption (and probably to barter for milk, etc.).

I understand that a NN cross (true homozygous NN parent to non NN parent) will not have all babies with fully naked necks, and may try F1 crosses to ultimately get back to homozygous NN with more meaty genes mixed in (am I crazy for thinking this is possible?). (Correct me if I'm wrong - I need to read more about NN genetics, but that's another thread.)

I have been able to handle heat well so far with my current tiny flock using just ice in their water, as their housing and run are in 100% full shade under a big tree with good breezes, and it seems never to get all that hot under there despite crazy hot days (though summer's not over yet). I just know that larger meaty birds might have a harder time with heat and I want to stack the deck more in their favor by having them have fewer feathers. (Easier plucking is also a bonus!)

I'll be planning to get my NN from Ideal - I am thinking/hoping that they are a good source for a meat bred NN. But I did note that S&G has NN listed under "broilers", so I guess that's a good sign as well. (Any tips on hatcheries with good meat-type NNs?)

Now I'm off to make a cup of tea and read this whole thread from the beginning. Thanks!!!!

- Ant Farm

Edited to add: Should have looked first, seems to already be good NN info here. I'm reading now...

Very glad to have you and welcome. There are several folks who come here and will be willing to help you...I will say this ...Use the Dark Cornish hen UNDER a NN cock...and will direct you to a dedicated NN thread...hoping you will still come back and visit with us...plenty of smart/experienced folks hang around this thread!!!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/301500/naked-neck-turken-thread/13460

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Very glad to have you and welcome. There are several folks who come here and will be willing to help you...I will say this ...Use the Dark Cornish hen UNDER a NN cock...and will direct you to a dedicated NN thread...hoping you will still come back and visit with us...plenty of smart/experienced folks hang around this thread!!!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/301500/naked-neck-turken-thread/13460

Thanks! I had started on that thread but hadn't gotten that far and there hadn't been much meat discussion - was worried about offending the beloved-pets group by posting there, so I decided to start on meat-specific thread/areas of the forum. I'll keep digging (I clearly have a lot of reading to do.)

- Ant Farm

 

[JRNash]

Good luck Ant Farm. There are some really smart people on these forums.

 

[hellbender]

Thanks! I had started on that thread but hadn't gotten that far and there hadn't been much meat discussion - was worried about offending the beloved-pets group by posting there, so I decided to start on meat-specific thread/areas of the forum. I'll keep digging (I clearly have a lot of reading to do.)

- Ant Farm

Those are good practical folks on the NN thread and most will help you. Since you mentioned again that MEAT is your primary goal...You are absolutely on the right PRODUCTION thread...

and to our PRODUCTION thread.

 

[DesertChic]

Howdy! I was directed over to this thread with my NN breeding questions, so I hope you don't mind. Here goes:

I am going to be raising my first Cornish crosses this fall (once temps begin to go back down), but am interested in pursuing Naked Necks for meat the following year. I understand that Naked necks are a lot easier to raise in the very high temperatures we get here in South Texas, and they are a common meat chicken raised and sold at Farmers Markets here (and are sought after by consumers). While I have admittedly limited experience with tastes of different breeds, I do know that while both were better than grocery store chicken, Naked Necks were miles ahead of CXs in terms of taste (from same farm, though I don't know which regimen the CXs were raised under, vs. NN which were pasture ranged). Smaller and not as much breast meat, but DANG if that bird wasn't AMAZING! They are popular here so they are often sold out/wait-listed for our more local hatchery (Ideal) pretty fast, it seems. I want to go ahead and get on the waitlist for them for 2016 with Ideal, but I wanted to ask you fine folks about your experiences (hot weather or otherwise):


1. Have you raised pure Naked necks for meat? If so, what were your experiences - any tips?

Thanks! I had started on that thread but hadn't gotten that far and there hadn't been much meat discussion - was worried about offending the beloved-pets group by posting there, so I decided to start on meat-specific thread/areas of the forum. I'll keep digging (I clearly have a lot of reading to do.)

- Ant Farm

Hello and welcome! First, don't worry about the folks on the dedicated NN thread. I can speak from experience that they are a fantastic group and will not be offended by questions regarding the eating of your birds. And it's chock full of outstanding information, people experimenting with various breeding programs with the NNs, and just outstanding and supportive people overall. It's one of my favorite threads on the BYC.

Now...that said...I start raising NNs in January and have consumed two of my cockerels from that group when they were fryer age, even though I roasted them. The meat was tender and flavorful, and the carcasses were already well-muscled. As good as the meat is, probably my favorite thing about cooking up the NNs is the crispiness you can achieve with their skin. Seriously...it was like eating seasoned chips! My husband commented several times that he wished there was more skin to eat.

As far as your crosses are concerned, I'm thoroughly intrigued! I know @hellbender is experience with the NN over Dark Cornish cross and has posted some beautiful photos of the results...very impressive birds! I myself am hoping to cross my NNs over Australorps and also NNs over White Rock as early as this coming fall. Right now my girls' eggs are almost large enough to begin hatching, but not quite. I plan to maintain one pure line of NNs and then have fun experimenting as well. I maintain separate egg laying and meat flocks on my property so I always have eggs and am slowly working on my meat program.

Just remember...post lots of pictures of babies and their parents. We LOVE seeing what everyone's doing and what their birds look like.