Considering raising for meat...

[Onyx9370]

I have my first flock this year that is 4 months old that consists of amberlinks, Orpingtons, RIR, Jersey Giants, Barred Plymouth Rocks, and Wyndottes. When I originally decided on chickens it was for eggs and pets. I have been considering raising for meat though. I'm not interested in the meat breeds like the cornish x or anything. And it seems that I have alreay got some dual purpose breeds (i wasn't thinking of meat when I got them). I have so many questions. I don't want to slaughter the birds i have now, but I would like to have a self sustaining flock for meat and eggs. I ended up with 3 amberlink roos. If I let them breed with any of the other breeds I have (and i know they won't breed true to the other amberlinks), will that produce a decent bird to eat? I'm not worried about how fast they mature or anything (i know the Jersey Giants don't mature until about 6 months). If the amberlink roos wouldn't make for a good dual purpose producer along with the pullets I already have, what breed roo would you recommend that when bred with my pullet breeds would make a decent egg layer and meat bird. Also, when to slaughter? I know I can slaighter the girls when their egg laying slows, and use for soups or stews. But what age is a good time to slaughter a heavier heritage type bird so that I can cook it how i want? Thanks for any advice! And remember, I have no clue what im doing when it comes to raising for meat lol

 

[Chick Charm]

If you were to get a Barred Rock Rooster with your Barred Rock Hens you would have one of the most perfect dual purpose set ups. BR's have great temperament, Lay VERY well and have GREAT breast meat ratio to body weight. Processing can take place over different times but 16 -18 weeks, I think is best for large table chickens and 12 weeks for smaller ones.

Wish ya the best.

 

[Onyx9370]

Thanks that's really helpful. My main concern is which rooster would do best with all my Girls. I don't have the set up at this time to keep breeds separated, and I only really want 1 roo for breeding. But then i could always just let my BR hatch out and collect everyone else's eggs. I'm not trying to create a new DP breed or the perfect cross or anything. I just want the offspring to be a decent meat bird and a decent layer. And I like having the different breeds around. I guess a little experimenting is in order.