Broilers or Roasters?

[Whitehouse Quail]

I am trying to raise some organic birds, but am hung up on a decision; Cornish grow the quickest (4 weeks) but don't provide as much meat. Broilers grow to 4-6 lbs in 6 weeks, and roasters are 10 weeks but are very big. Which would be the best decision for the most meat for the least amount of time?

 

[jaku]

Well, I guess I'm confused by the wording of your question...

If you are talking about Cornish X's, they are ready in 6-8 weeks, and provide the MOST meat of any chicken. Or are you talking about Cornish Game Hens?

Cornish Game Hens, Broilers, and Roasters are the exact same bird, it's just that game hens are butchered early, broilers are are allowed to live an extra couple of weeks, and roasters a few more weeks.

Get Cornish X's and butcher them at 8 weeks for the best meat yield in the shortest time. Hope that answers your question.

 

[Whitehouse Quail]

Yup, that does. Thanks!

 

[chicks4kids]

I butchered cornish x for the first time ever, and hand plucked and everything. The plucking was the most time consuming and I hated it. But, my birds weighed in at 5 and 6 lbs. Very rewarding...

I would think that you would want to go with a larger bird at first that way you don't get deturred from the work of it all. And as we all know, it is work.

Once you have a plucker, you may want to go with smaller birds. I might try it once my husband makes my plucker.

Just my $.02