Considering first meat birds.

[Foodfromhome]

Well the weather has been nasty and I had a big pile of scrap lumber and wire so me and mini me built a 7x7 tractor for some meat birds. I have raised Coturnix quail in the past so I could go that route or I can get some Cornish X. I have plenty of room they will be 100 yards from the house at least and can be moved daily around 4 acres as needed to keep it clean. What would you do? Quail or Cornish X??? Thanks!

 

[sylviethecochin]

I'd do the CX and see if you like them. They're not going to be around for more than a few months, anyway. What you like isn't going to be what a lot of other people like, so find out what you like.

If that makes any sense at all.

 

[Foodfromhome]

Anyone have hatchery recommendations for getting 25 Cornish X chicks that will ship to Georgia?

 

[Dawnclucks22]

I recommend Cornish Cross, they're very tender and flavorful.

 

[RUNuts]

CX definitely.
What kind of predator pressure do you have? Anything to be concerned about?
Ideal hatchery
Windy Meadow Hatchery - not sure how far they ships.
Best wishes!

 

[Foodfromhome]

We have faired well as far as predators go so far no predator issues at all. I build the coops with hardware cloth and roofs heavy post for the bottoms. So far so good. I’m a trapper so I knock back the coons pretty good every winter.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I also suggest the Cornish X. You've done quail, so now do chickens and see how you like them. To me, it makes sense to compare.

I did a quick Google on "chicken hatcheries in Ga" and got five hits. I don't know if any are within driving distance or if they have what you want or even sell to the public. It might be pick-up only. I'll leave some of the work to you.

Are any feed stores still having chick days near you an do they offer CX? You might compare the cost of picking up live chicks from them that have made it through shipping to the delivered cost of shipped chicks. and the risks of shipping

Most of the major hatcheries will ship them to you through the mail, though the more remote you are the longer that might take. They normally fly them to a relatively major airport then truck them to your local post office. The the more direct the flight and the fewer sorting offices they go through the faster the shipment. I sometimes get mine the day after they ship, though a couple of times it's taken an extra day. I don't worry about which hatchery is closer since none are within driving distance. I use a major hatchery and see what the total arrival cost is for what I want and availability when I want it.

 

[Foodfromhome]

Great thanks! This one is about 45 min away. Any idea what a “Georgia Broiler” is. I was wanting Cornish X but these are close. Any thoughts?

http://the-georgia-mad-hatcher.mybigcommerce.com/georgia-broiler-1/

 

[RUNuts]

Georgia Broiler sounds like a Freedom Ranger, red Ranger or any other trademarked hybrid. "takes 4 weeks longer" is the clue that these won't grow as fast as Cornish cross (CX). No experience with these.

Dual purpose says that these can be kept for eggs. I wonder if they breed true?

Yellow chicks so they may grow up white. Some people prefer the yellow skin. I still can't taste color, so have no clue.

"All roosters" is a clue they may be sex linked where the girls are one color and the boys different. Disregard the "keep for eggs" comment above. If you get a rooster egg, please post results. There will be a lot of interested people. Those are rare!

What is your goal? Meat in 8 weeks or 12 weeks? Try it, you may like it. Or get a baseline for the next trial.

 

[Foodfromhome]

I would be fine with 12 weeks not in a huge rush. I cant technically have roosters but as long as they arent crowing it should be fine. Do you think they will be crowing at 12 weeks? I get rid of my cockerels before then typically.