Dual-Purpose Flock Owners UNITE!

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Noticed that, too have ya?
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I raised 20 of those this spring and boy was I glad to see that 8 weeks over and done with! There is nothing wrong going that route, I may even do it again with only 10 so I can have a few huge roasters, but the unnaturalness of those birds' lives really bugs me.
I'm talking about a Self-perpetuating, multi-generational, decent table meat, decent egg layers, true Old-Fashioned Farmyard flock.
If you've got too many roosters, you butcher the excess... If you have too many hens, or hens that aren't producing the way you expect... you butcher..... If you got company coming, and nothing in the freezer, you go grab a chicken, quickly butcher one out, and plan accordingly.

I'm talking Out on the Frontier, Before the Civil War... type of farmyard flock. One group of chickens does it all!

Kathy

That's exactly what I'm trying to do, too. I researched a lot and was leaning towards Dominiques but then decided their full grown weight of 5ish pounds wasn't big enough for me. Instead I've got a few barred rocks (grew pretty fast and DH is champing at the bit to try an extra roo) and some golden laced wyandottes and buckeyes.

My 15 week old BRs seem to be doing a good job foraging, they aren't running up to me as often any more looking for handouts so I'm hoping they'll teach the younger birds the ropes. My buckeyes and GLWs are about 5 weeks old and I'm planning on moving the biggest of them into a cage inside the coop tonight for a supervised week of integration and family harmony (I hope).

I chose the GLWs and buckeyes on what I've read on this forum and the fact they have smaller combs and it gets coooooold up here. So far the Wyandottes are growing faster than the buckeyes. Depending on my results with these I'm considering trying dark cornish and/or chanteclers next year, unless my current guys work out so well I can save some money!

I'm also interested to hear what another poster in this thread who has chanteclers thinks of them.

It's all a big adventure so far!​
 
Count me in!

I refuse to have meat birds. There's something that bothers me about raising birds to 8 weeks just to butcher them. Such a short life!! And they are such strange birds anyway.

Right now I have EEs and Black Australorps. We butchered our extra roos a month ago. This spring we'll be hatching out chickies and we'll do the same thing with them - raise them up and butcher the extra roos. When our hens stop laying, we'll butcher them and let the younger hens take over.

For us, it's just a relaxed sort of cycle. We let nature take its course as much as we can.
 
Hi you can count me in. I have opr's and dorkings. I had a mixed flock that had, hens of these breeds, buff orps, australorps, chanteclers, cochins, wyandottes, brahma, ee's and roo's of these breeds, cochin, wyandotte, orp's. Loved them but the neighbor's dogs got them and the Isa browns, ee's mixes that I had hatched with them, 18 out of 19 gone, only had 5 roo's in that bunch, they were 11 weeks old it just made me sick, I will be getting eggs from both of these ladies as soon as my surgery is done in Sept and just before my next surgery.

I am glad to see that I am not the only one that can't bring themselves to get meat chickens. I know they are good but everyone I talk to says the dual birds taste better and are not a mushy meat.

Next year I want to hatch out turkey's for eating any suggestions there? I want to butcher for a 15lb weight as I like the deep fried birds the best. Thank you.

Thanks for letting me share
 
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I've always wondered the same thing. Except for the extreme confinement, how much different are these birds than commercially raised fryers?

They are fed the same intensive, high-protein feed, usually medicated from day one, are not really encouraged to forage and run around free as this is counter-productive to weight gain, and they are encouraged to reach maturity at an alarming rate that is detrimental to their health. Regardless that these birds are genetically manipulated to behave in this manner (which is another disturbing point), it is never good for any creature to have a rapid weight gain and quicker growth. Very harsh on the internal organs, resulting in less removal of toxins from the tissues.

So, how is this healthy food for your family? Just because they never had additional hormones? They have the same level of antibiotics in their feed, so what, really, is the difference?
 
We are raising dual purpose chickens. And will be butchering extra roos. Right know in the brooder i got 12 Barred Rocks and 13 White rocks. From what i see in my 1 week old chicks white rocks are the best breed to use as the dual purpose flock They have grown so big so Fast cant wait to see how they look when there older.
 
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I agree! My WRs and BOs are perceptably larger and meatier than are my NHRs, Doms, and Black Stars. Mine are at 6 wks and I have to look twice when I see them free ranging along side of my old white leghorn hen!
 
After going thru Henderson's Chicken Breed Chart, I've put together this list:

Dual Purpose Breeds

Australorp or Black Australorp - Standard: 6.5 lb/2.9 kg in Australia from Orpington stock lay tinted eggs.

Barnevelder - Standard: 6-7 lb/2.7-3.2 kg

*Brahma - Standard: 9 lb/4.1 kg

Buckeye - 6.5 lb/2.9 kg include Cornish, Game, Rock, Cochin and Pea Combed Rhode Island Red.

Chantecler - 6.5 lb/2.9 kg White Chanteclers have Dark Cornish, White Leghorns, White Wyandottes, Rhode Island Reds and White Plymouth Rocks in their heritage. A Partridge variety also exists. Cocks weigh about 8 1/2 pounds and hens 6 1/2.

Delaware - 6.5 lb/2.9 kg crossing Barred Plymouth Rocks and New Hampshires, nearly white, rapid growing, dual purpose fowl developed to figure into broiler crosses, with single comb and brown egg shells.

Dorking - Standard: 6.5 lb/2.2 kg Dorkings were among our most common farm fowl prior to the Civil War. This position was maintained in New York and elsewhere into the 1860s and '70s. In a few localities, they remained a common production fowl well into the early part of the 20th century. Dorkings contributed to the development of many of our modern breeds. Even today, Dorkings retain their historic character, remaining perhaps the best breed for natural production that has ever existed. chicks delicate & slow to mature

Faverolles - Standard: 7.5 lb/3.4 kg the 1850s of composite blood from the Houdon, Brahma, Crêve-Cour, Dorking and common fowl of the area. Some references have been made to the CouCoo and Cochin being used in addition. They make excellent back yard fowl and have a genteel personality. originally known for its table qualities. Density and mass of the bird are what should be looked at.

Holland or American Holland - 6.5 lb/2.9 kg a heavy, dual purpose breed which lays white eggs.

Java - 7.5 lb/3.4 kg a dual purpose fowl with yellow skin and brown eggs.

*Jersey Giant - 10 lb/4.6 kg Giants were bred from crosses of Orpingtons, Javas, and Langshans, Jersey Giants appear in the Standard of Perfection (USA) in two varieties: Black and White. Cocks should weigh 13 pounds and hens 10 pounds. The breed was developed in the 1880s in New Jersey. It carries Java, Brahma and Langshan blood and its skin is yellow. The breeders who created the breed were aiming at a large roasting fowl. As a meat bird in the modern world, however, it is slow-growing and therefore not commercially viable. On the other hand, few poultry sights are as impressive as a flock of Black Jersey Giants on a green lawn. Australorps differ from Black Jersey Giants in that the legs of the Jersey Giant are black (some tending toward willow) and the underparts of the feet are yellow. In Lorps, the legs are black, shading to dark slate in adults, but the underparts of the feet are pinkish white. This works with good show stock, but hatchery stock is more variable and you can't ever be sure unless the birds grow to the size of Giants.

Lamona - 6.5 lb/2.9 kg extinct or verging on extinction; root stock as for the original Lamona: Leghorns, Dorkings and Rocks. a white fowl with red ear lobes, that lays a white shelled egg, the creation of the new Lamona was started in 1912 when the idea was conceived of combining three varieties of fowls to produce a breed having the shape and the market qualities of the Dorking, with a yellow skin, white plumage, and four toes and laying a white egg. A low stationed, close-feathered White Plymouth Rock male was mated to a Silver Gray female; and a Single Comb White Leghorn male, having a rather small, low comb, was mated to a Silver Gray Dorking female.

*Langshan - 7.5 lb/3.4 kg slow to mature; very hardy; cold hardy; general purpose fowl for the production of meat and eggs. Langshans originated in China and are considered one of our oldest breeds. The general shape of the Langshan makes them better suited to roaster and capon use than as fryers. enjoyed considerable popularity in the U.S. during the latter part of the 19th century. Their feet and legs are feathered but not as fully as the Cochins or Brahmas. Long legs and narrow body conformation leave much to be desired as a meat bird by today's standards.
New Hampshire Red - Standard: 6.5 lb/2.9 kg robust; hardy in heat & cold; combs subject to frostbite; very early maturing

*Orpington - Standard: 8 lb/3.6 kg; moderately early maturing; hardy; very cold hardy; good brooder; excellent mother; It was developed from Langshan-Rock-Minorca crosses. Developed as a dual purpose breed, Orpingtons make fair table fowl and are excellent winter layers of large brown eggs. Orpingtons have a deep broad body, the back appearing short with a somewhat concave shape. The head is neat with a single comb. Dark colours have dark eyes and legs, paler colours have red eyes and white legs. Chicks can take longer to feather up than some other breeds.

Plymouth Rock - Standard: 7.5 lb/3.4 kg; somewhat early maturing; Once common on the homestead, still popular in the backyard. crosses of Dominique, Java, Cochin, and perhaps Malay and Dorking. until World War II, no breed was ever kept and bred as extensively as the Barred Plymouth Rock. Its popularity came from its qualities as an outstanding farm chicken: hardiness, docility, broodiness, and excellent production of both eggs and meat. Barred Plymouth Rock was one of the foundation breeds for the broiler industry in the 1920's, and the White Rock continues to be used as the female side of the commercial broiler cross. dual purpose or general purpose breed and is a bird of graceful curves with a large compact body, broad back and breast, medium upright single comb, yellow legs and rich bay eyes.

Rhode Island - Standard: 6.5 lb/2.9 kg; robust; hardy in heat & cold; combs subject to frostbite; moderately early maturing; Best of breeds for producing brown eggs. a good layer of large brown eggs and as a dual purpose breed also can supply a fair-sized roaster. The hens will rarely go broody and can produce around 260 eggs per year. including Malays, Cochins and Brown Leghorns. It was from the Malay that the Rhode Island Red got its deep color, strong constitution and relatively hard feathers. Relatively hardy, they are probably the best egg layers of the dual purpose breeds. Reds handle marginal diets and poor housing conditions better than other breeds and still continue to produce eggs. They are one of the breeds where exhibition qualities and production ability can be successfully combined in a single strain. Some "Red" males may be quite aggressive. They have rectangular, relatively long bodies, typically dark red in color. Avoid using medium or brick red females for breeding because this is not in keeping with the characteristics of the breed. Also, don't breed from undersized individuals or birds with black in their body feathers (called "smutt"). Black in the main tail and wing feathers is normal, however. Most Reds show broodiness, but this characteristic has been partially eliminated in some of the best egg production strains. The Rose Comb variety tends to be smaller but should be the same size as the Single Combed variety. The red color fades after long exposure to the sun. "Rhodies" have a broad, deep, brick- shaped body, flat back and medium sized tail with prominent eyes and yellow legs. The male plumage is glossy, rich lustrous and dark red, whilst the females are less so. Rhode Island Reds are active birds, which enjoy scratching about,particularly on grass. Both Large fowl and bantams are available and quite popular.
The Rhode Island White originated in 1888 by crossing White Wyandottes with Partridge Cochins and Rose Comb White Leghorns.The breed continued to be developed and improved so that it more closely resembled the Rhode Island Red’s brick-like body shape. This distinctive shape helped to prevent the breed from looking similar to and being confused with White Wyandottes or White Plymouth Rock chickens. The Rhode Island White gained some popularity in the US up until the 1960’s, at which time their numbers began to decline. The breed never came close to the overwhelming popularity that the more famous Rhode Island Red chicken achieved. The Rhode Island White is a moderately-sized, completely white bird with the males weighing 8 1/2 lbs. and females 6 1/2 lbs. They have long, broad, and deep bodies which are carried horizontally, giving them an oblong and brick-like appearance overall. Their breasts are deep, full, and well rounded. Their heads are fairly deep and are inclined to be flat on top rather than round. Though some single combed offspring do occasionally occur, the breed is has been standardized only with a rose shaped comb. The historic laying ability of the Rhode Island White was respectable by all accounts, with one exceptional hen at the Mountain Grove Experiment Station in Missouri noted as laying 306 eggs in one year. Productive strains of this breed have been known to more typically lay in the 240-250 eggs per year range. They are reputed to be splendid meat fowl and excellent layers of winter eggs. Rhode Island Whites are pleasant, easy going chickens and would make an enjoyable addition to any family farm. Today, the Rhode Island White chicken continues to have its followers and maintains a population of less than 3000 birds (2003 ALBC poultry census). Status: Watch

+Sussex - Standard: 7 lb/3.2 kg; moderately early maturing; robust; very cold hardy; good brooder & mother; English heavy breed; famous as a table fowl and the cocks should weigh in at 9 pounds, with the hens reaching 7 pounds; One of the best of the dual purpose chickens, a good all-around farm fowl. prized as a table fowl more than 100 years ago; Sussex is one of the oldest breeds that is still with us today in fair numbers. Sussex go broody and make good mothers

Welsumer or Welsummer - Standard: 6 lb/2.7 kg; moderately early maturing; economical eater; well adaptable to confinement or free range; lively, but not especially flighty; energetic; friendly; hardy; cold hardy; large dark brown egg, a rich deep flower-pot red brown, almost glowing. Although considered a light, soft feathered, nonsitting breed, the hens frequently do go broody. Welsummers are good foragers on free range. Black/red is the standardized color of the large form. Predominantly a utility breed, the breed is hardy and thrives under free range conditions producing good numbers of its dark brown, 'flowerpot' coloured eggs. However, although classified as a 'Light' breed and usually very active, their bodies are fairly large and the birds quite docile. Most people consider the colouring very attractive and reminiscent of a traditional 'farmyard' bird.

Wyandotte - Standard: 6.5 lb/2.9 kg; moderately early maturing; robust; very cold hardy; an American breed. It was first known as 'American Sebright' and 'Sebright Cochin.' The true origin is shrouded in mystery. The Dark Brahma and Spangled Hamburgs were used by the originator of the 'American Sebright' was evidenced by the cropping out of the Hamburg comb and Dark Brahma color markings in some of the earlier Eastern strains. Buff Wyandottes were light colored Rhode Island Reds, but lacking type and off in color, they laid the foundation of Buff Wyandottes for breed, type and color. Golden and White Wyandotte crosses and Buff Cochin-White and Golden Wyandotte crosses dominated in some strains. Wyandottes are a good, medium-weight fowl for small family flocks kept under rugged conditions. Their rose combs do not freeze as easily as single combs and the hens make good mothers. Layers of good-sized brown eggs and reaching a weight in the males of 8 1/2 pounds, Wyandottes are good dual purpose birds, especially the White and Silver Laced varieties which have been bred for utility, as well as for show. Common faults include narrow backs, undersized individuals and relatively poor hatches. Also, it is not uncommon to see single combed offspring come from rose combed parents. These single combed descendents of Wyandottes should not be kept as breeders.

Cochin - Standard: 8.5 lb/3.8 kg; capable of being a meat type fowl. known as Chinese Shanghai fowl; One of the largest chickens, a full grown cock can reach 11 pounds, with the hens reaching 8 1/2 pounds. With their thick fluffy plumage, the birds look even larger. Their skin is yellow and they lay a brown egg. Although bred mostly for exhibition, they make a good meat bird. Cochins are usually very calm birds and easily made into pets. They are also excellent broodies. Because of their feathering, it is necessary to clip some of the feathers or resort to artificial insemination to obtain good rates of fertility.

**Cornish or Indian Game - Standard: 8 lb/3.6 kg developed in Cornwall, England. Asil, Old English Games, and Malays; a "hard feathered" breed, with a plumage that sits very close to the body, and it carries a small pea comb. Due to their shape, good Cornish often experience poor fertility and artificial mating is suggested. Cornish need adequate protection during very cold weather as their feathers offer less insulation than can be found on most other chickens. The Cornish is a very sturdy bird. From the front its fairly short strong legs should be set widely apart. It is a heavy bird, with a wide breast, and the males may reach 10 1/2 pounds. More so than in most breeds of chicken, body conformation is the same in both sexes. The poultry industry is heavily dependent upon this bird. Most broilers in the supermarket are the result of a cross between a White Cornish and a White Plymouth Rock. These Cornish/Rock crosses are the mainstay of the poultry industry. Be aware, however, that you can't just cross any Cornish and Rock and get a supermarket carcass. The parental lines of these crosses have been developed extensively over the years by the commercial industry. Developed as the ultimate meat bird, the Cornish has contributed its genes to build the vast broiler industry of the world, Its muscle development and arrangement give excellent carcass shape.

Minorca - Standard: 7 lb/3.2 kg; excellent hot weather bird; combs subject to frostbite;early maturing. the largest and heaviest of the Mediterranean fowl. APA's Standard in Black, Buff and White, Males can reach 9 pounds and the hens 7 1/2. Utility strains of the breed were excellent layers of large white eggs. They are rather poor meat fowl because of their narrow angular bodies and slow growth. Minorcas rarely go broody, are very alert and fairly good foragers. Unlike the Leghorn, the Minorca is a dual purpose bird. This means that not only is it a good layer but it can also be used for meat production.

* = formerly meat bird
** = used for meat production
+ = check into more closely


http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

Kathy
 

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