Dark Cornish vs. Buckeye

[Junior]

first let me thank everyone for all the help y'all have given me on the DC so far.

since it seems almost impossible to find good Dark Cornish i've read a little on the Buckeye as a meat breed.does anyone know how they would compare to each other

time it takes to get ready to process?
weight at processing time?
quality of the meat?
etc.?

or even just a general comparison of the two would be greatly appreciated.

thanks,
Junior

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

I have not had either breed yet - do hope someday to try each.

In the Breeds forum, there is a thread on buckeyes - might be very informative for you and they should be able to answer all your questions about buckeyes.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=271644

 

[bigredfeather]

I have both and will tell you the Buckeyes grow much faster. DC have a larger breast and the meat is denser. I can get my Buckeyes to 4-5 dressed weight in 18-20 weeks feeding them a 23% broiler feed. They seem to be able to utilize the extra protein better than the DC or other DP birds. It took about 25 weeks to get the DC to 4-5 pounds and they were from a breeder not hatchery. I will say the DCs are deceptively heavier than they look. I have been considering crossing my Buckeye roo with a DC hen and see what I get.

 

[Junior]

Genny,
i'm slowly working my way through the Buckeye thread - i'm on dial-up so it may take a little while

bigredfeather,
that sounds like a great idea on trying to cross them and see what happens.i might have to try that too but i would have to use hatchery DC hens - that is all i can seem to find.please keep everybody posted if you decide to try that cross.

thank y'all for the help.i appreciate it.
Junior

 

[petrelline]

I have hatchery (Ideal) buckeyes that are just short of 4 lbs right now at 14 weeks on 22% feed and widespread free ranging. They are still kind of skinny in the breast but the bigger ones are filling out well. Unfortunately I have more meaties coming in soon so I'm planning to start harvesting them memorial day weekend and hoping for the best. I'd be happy with 3.5-4lbs dressed on average but I'm not sure they're going to get there.

I've heard better quality buckeyes (not hatchery) will grow larger and faster than this. ALBC's meat buckeyes are supposed to be much better (I believe brunty is working with those).

 

[Junior]

petrelline,
thanks for the info.i appreciate it.i may have a line on some Buckeye's from a breeder so,i may be better off going that route instead of hatchery Dark Cornish.
thanks again,
Junior