Chronicles of Raising Meat Birds - Modern Broilers, Heritage and Hybrids

[Newyorkrita]

This one?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ideal-hatchery-black-broiler-honest-review.1299875/

You found it! Yes, that one. Lots of great information about those Ideal Black Broilers.

 

[Newyorkrita]

Just got e-mail newsy letter from Moyer's. They are having a sale. 30 % off all chick orders shipped by December 17. Use code
30OFF

 

[RoosterML]

Just got e-mail newsy letter from Moyer's. They are having a sale. 30 % off all chick orders shipped by December 17. Use code
30OFF

I have done both Cornish and the red broilers from Moyers and will be doing more again next spring.

 

[jolenesdad]

9 weeks

Delawares (largest)
M- 3 lb
F- 2.4 lb

Imperial Broiler
M- 6 lb (only 1)
F- 4.5-5.5 lbs, average is probably a bit above 5 lbs.

———

Huge growth amongst the Imperials. A pound a week. The largest are where I processed some of the Royal Reds last time, and they just are a more streamlined bird. They feather out more uniformly, and are far more active than those Royal Reds.

they’re supposed to be pretty light on the breast, but I definitely feel a breast. It’s not as big as the other broilers but will be interesting.

The Delawares are fabulous as always. Hard to photograph because they’re so personable and active.

the specific one I have been weighing gained about 10 ounces this week, but as they’re filling out I marked another one that is actually 6 ounces bigger, hitting 3 lbs.

This means I’ve got about half of the 14 or so boys I have that are above 2.5 pounds at 9 weeks, and gaining pretty fast now. If they grow like this last week, they could be near 6 pounds at 13 weeks.

I haven’t decided how many to keep. I just started paying attention to the girls this week. They were naturally a bit flightier than the boys but have come around completely. I’ll probably keep all the pullets and try and sell off the ones I don’t want as a group.

I’m going to try and build something to take photos with moving forward so it’s consistent I think it will be really nice to look back on in the future through the generations with birds in the same spot and pose.

Lost one Delaware to a hawk this week. I’m on a waiting list for a LGD in the spring. Overall they whole flock is getting good at seeking shelter and my next property won’t have the chicken fields in the trees.

oh also just saw Mcmurray has a new “ginger” broiler. I think that’s probably just like these.

photos from the week:

 

[RoosterML]

@jolenesdad you may have said it in a previous post but what is the source of your Delawares?

 

[jolenesdad]

@jolenesdad you may have said it in a previous post but what is the source of your Delawares?

They’re from Dawnridge Farm in CA. Erin Angulo is the breeder. Really nice woman and she has been very helpful with questions I have.

they’ve been working on improving the line for 5 or 6 years. They do ship eggs sometimes, but mostly chicks. They’re 10 bucks a bird, minimum 25, shipping included. They hatch to order typically.

 

[Newyorkrita]

Great pictures. They all seem so friendly and curious.

 

[jolenesdad]

Very first Robust White egg hatching today!

 

[jolenesdad]

Also.... I did a count today and I have SIXTEEN Delaware cockerels and seven pullets. And the one the hawk killed was also a boy.

 

[Newyorkrita]

Also.... I did a count today and I have SIXTEEN Delaware cockerels and seven pullets. And the one the hawk killed was also a boy.

Bad odds!! It seems to me that happens all too often with straight run that there are just so few pullets.