Buff-Orpingtons

[mountainpridefarm]

I feel like I just realized an awesome DP breed that has been right in front of my eyes! Buff Orpingtons seem to be great. As I have stated before I will be purchasing from McMurray this year and in addition to the dark cornish I am thinking some BO. I have been told that they make a nice broiler at 12 weeks which is perfect! The only problem is the white skin....is this undesirable? Has anybody raised BO from McMurray for meat birds? Where can I find a picture of one dressed?

 

[Bantimna]

Orpingtons are not ready to be slaughtered at 12 weeks. You might be thinking of the Cornish X. Birds that are dual purpose lay a good number of eggs and have enough meat on their bodies to give a good meal. It takes about 1-2 years till they are ready. If you want a Heritage Meat Bird, I would say go for Jersey Giants. They take long to mature, but I have been told they are very good Meaties and Egg-layers.

 

[xC0000005]

My orps wouldn't have made a snack at 12 weeks. They are big fluffy birds now but There's a lot of feathers to subtract before you get to the meat level..

 

[Sjisty]

My BO is almost 8 weeks old and would just barely fit on a biscuit - but it would be an awfully cute biscuit!

 

[mountainpridefarm]

Quote:
Even though they mature late are they fast growing, as in a 4lb bird in 12-16 weeks?

 

[Fort Orpington]

We also got Buff Orpingtons last year from McMurray, we processed the roos at 18 weeks and once they were done they were all around four pounds. I will try to post pics.

 

[Fort Orpington]

Hope these work, and help

 

[mountainpridefarm]

Quote:
Thank YOU SO MUCH! This is exactly what I was looking to see (though don't anybody hesitate to post more). They seem like they are decent birds and I am absolutely fine with 18 weeks. The legs look odd to me, not sure why...?

 

[Fort Orpington]

Okay so just looked back and the legs are weird because that is a cooked EE. Sorry I should of looked more carefully, now for an even more embarrassing point... they look weird because I cut the skin down so my kids would not know which rooster we were eating. sorry again but they were all about the same size....

 

[mountainpridefarm]

OK, they just looked as if they were standing tall...and straight up.
and what is EE?