Culling Dual Purpose for Meat

[Redhead Rae]

Even a self sustaining flock will need fresh genetics from time to time. Hmmmmm...... Thinking my Orps get big pretty fast and dress out nicely. Not the extreme best layers but certainly decent in that department. Mine are hatchery stock but still hit 7 to 8 pounds full grown on the hoof.

Mine seem like they’ll be broody. I think I’ll breed the broody birds I have with my LF Black Cochin to see what I get. I want broody birds. So much easier than incubating and dealing with a brooder.

 

[21hens-incharge]

They can be broody. I have had a few that were. Can't beat my Cochin for broodiness though. I am trying out LF Cochin's to see if they are broody enough. That being said my 2 reds are nearly bantam in size and my blues are ginormous.

 

[Redhead Rae]

They can be broody. I have had a few that were. Can't beat my Cochin for broodiness though. I am trying out LF Cochin's to see if they are broody enough. That being said my 2 reds are nearly bantam in size and my blues are ginormous.

I'm also considering getting LF blues. I like that I can have 3 different colors by just adding the blue gene, but I can still get pure blacks.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

Right now I just have red sex links...... so used the 4 from the Brat Pack (the mulch rescue) and Bean (Xena hatched probably roo) as an example.

 

[Redhead Rae]

@Smuvers Farm did anyone else confirm my suspicions that Bean is a RSL roo?

 

[Smuvers Farm]

@Smuvers Farm did anyone else confirm my suspicions that Bean is a RSL roo?

Pretty sure RJ did.... but no one else has chimed in. This weekend we're gonna take pics of all of Xenas bebes to sex them... and I ALWAYS feel weird typing that!

 

[Redhead Rae]

Pretty sure RJ did.... but no one else has chimed in. This weekend we're gonna take pics of all of Xenas bebes to sex them... and I ALWAYS feel weird typing that!

 

[rjohns39]

general guidelines on age and type of cooking:

• 6-10 Weeks, Broiler
• 8-14 Weeks, Fryer
• 14 weeks - 6 months, Roaster
• 6 months+, Stewing

If you're looking for a big breasted, early grower that can naturally reproduce check out @duluthralphie 's Toads. I plan on getting some this spring. For simplicity, I also do CXs, 3 weeks in the brooder, 35 days on grass and off to the freezer.

ETA: If you think back to the 60's, you couldn't buy a cutup chicken and if you wanted to grill it or fry it, you went for a 3lbs bird. 4-6lbs would be rotisserie or roasted. You, could of course pay the butcher to cut it up for you.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

general guidelines on age and type of cooking:

• 6-10 Weeks, Broiler
• 8-14 Weeks, Fryer
• 14 weeks - 6 months, Roaster
• 6 months+, Stewing

If you're looking for a big breasted, early grower that can naturally reproduce check out @duluthralphie 's Toads. I plan on getting some this spring. For simplicity, I also do CXs, 3 weeks in the brooder, 35 days on grass and off to the freezer.

ETA: If you think back to the 60's, you couldn't buy a cutup chicken and if you wanted to grill it or fry it, you went for a 3lbs bird. 4-6lbs would be rotisserie or roasted. You, could of course pay the butcher to cut it up for you.

I'd been in touch with Ralphie on many occasions about the Toads.

 

[Redhead Rae]

I'd been in touch with Ralphie on many occasions about the Toads.

but decided that you didn't want to have a separate breed to manage? Are you going for Barnyard mutts or will you be getting a single breed?