Like many, I'm looking for the perfect small-farm bird for our climate (Maine) and our situation. Our first priority is self-sufficiency--i.e., broodiness, foraging ability, general- and winter-hardiness; second is meat production (enough to feed a pair of scrawny old people who remember how chicken actually tastes); third, and by far least important, is egg-laying ability: we don't eat that many eggs (a dozen or so a week), though we're picky about quality.
Years ago we raised various New Hampshires, Barred Rocks, and broiler-factory straight runs (along with ducks), but my research tends me toward Buckeyes or Chanteclers (buff or partridge; the whites are a bit of an eyesore and predator magnet for our property), and I'm wondering if anyone having direct experience with both can comment on their relative merits. Again, meat and broodiness/self-perpetuation are key.
Thanks
Years ago we raised various New Hampshires, Barred Rocks, and broiler-factory straight runs (along with ducks), but my research tends me toward Buckeyes or Chanteclers (buff or partridge; the whites are a bit of an eyesore and predator magnet for our property), and I'm wondering if anyone having direct experience with both can comment on their relative merits. Again, meat and broodiness/self-perpetuation are key.
Thanks