Chickens for Sustainability

[ChickenCurt]

Spiral breeding...I'm intrigued.

 

[ChickenCurt]

Here is a link I found
http://www.iowabluechickenclub.com/line-breeding-via-spiral-breeding-program.html
and
http://welsummers.blogspot.com/p/spiral-breeding.html

 

[3girlzcraft]

Donrae- seriously? Didn't know. I honestly thought there was hormone usage as well as medication given to keep them from dying (because their lungs & hearts are too small for body weight). Thanks for input.

 

[ChickenCurt]

Often production birds are medicated with antibiotic due to cramped conditions, I can't speak for hormones. The GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) is usually fed to them via grain. GMO grain isn't as healthy as non-GMO grain but GMO grain is cheeper and we are what we eat; so if we eat a healthier bird then we, ourselves, will be healthier.

 

[lazy gardener]

You don't have to do an all or none approach re: meat birds vs. dual purpose birds. You could perhaps get a few of each. When I start some new chicks this spring, I plan to add some meat birds to the mix, leaning towards Freedom Rangers or a similar breed. And if you plan to harvest some birds for meat, it would be just as easy to order straight run instead of pullets. Hatching is always fun too.

 

[3girlzcraft]

Lazy Gardner, that's kind of what I was thinking. I know I like heritage breeds, like RIR and Orpington's (which we have), and the meat birds are intriguing because of their rapid weight gain. But, I was a little worried about the meat birds (like Cornish Rocks) due to breathing problems. That's why I was comparing. Also, read that Cornish Rocks lacked in flavor. Any input? Thanks for your help.

 

[3girlzcraft]

Chicken Curt, GMO grain? Is it clearly marked as such so that I can double check our feed? Wow, lots of info!

 

[ChickenCurt]

GMO is rarely labeled, non-GMO is but can be hard to find in some urban settings. If you have any farms around? If so, ask the farmers and buy direct.