Good dual purpose?

[rancher hicks]

Considering where you are I would check into some of the Mediteranian breeds. They will be able to handle the high temps.

As far as I can remember the top three dual purpose heritage breeds would be Barred rocks, Delawares, and Rhode Island Red. That's the order of developement as I recall. Each outplaced the previous breed.

all the best
Rancher

 

[Davaroo]

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Well, allow me a moment of pedantic joy, will you? The chronological order of development would be Barred Plymouth Rock, RIR and Delaware.

The BR, the quintessential 'American chicken', was first exhibited as a breed in 1869. The RIR was in breeding since the mid 1800's, but was entered in the APA registry in 1904. The Delaware wasnlt seen until the 1940's, I believe.

During WWII, there were more Barred Plymouth Rocks in America than any other breed. The RIR is the state bird of, you guessed it, Rhode Island. The Delaware is a latecomer, and was originally called the Indian River. It really only predominated in one region of the country, what is called the DelMarVa peninsula (Delaware, Maryland and Virgina). Even then, debate remains as to whether 'predominate' is the right choice of words, since it competed with all the others and only lasted 15 years or so.

It was bred to be a great egger AND a good meat bird in one. Again, this goes to the appearance of the dressed carcass. Up 'til that time, the best eggers were brown egg layers which had dark feathers and so, spotty-skinned carcasses once dressed. The Delaware, with its white plumage and white skin, offers a clean carcass and makes a much nicer presentation at the table.

By the time they began to be recognized as an ideal dual purpose bird, industrial factory-farming methods had taken hold. These methods required a wholly different sort of bird, the genetically purpose built Cornish X and Leghorn egg hen. The last commercial use of the Delaware was in the late 1950's, I'd guess.

 

[babyblue]

my BO are nice birds that are laying 3-4 eggs a week in the worst weather seen in years. I have one BR rooster and he is a flighty idiot. but thats only one bird.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

I'd go with Delaware's. They were the leading industry broiler just prior to the CornishX back in the 50's. I get 6 eggs a week per hen out of my big sweet 7-8 pound girls. Then you have the added benefit of white birds that make better presentation as well when you get ready to butcher. I may be a wee bit biased though....since that breed is all I raise

 

[ConchRepublic]

Okay, after all this I think we're going to get some Delawares. Was thinking of BOs but the wife had afew for pets and they're her favorites lol, she's be furious if I planned to butcher any BOs

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
You say "after all this" as if it is a lot

This is a short thread.

 

[ConchRepublic]

Quote:
You say "after all this" as if it is a lot

This is a short thread.

lol I know, didn't take much convincing. They are gorgeous birds to imo... maybe that helped push them across along with the "excellent layers and they were the meat bird before xrocks"

Now, just to set up a brooder, start working on a coop and run. Also need to find a decent hatchery who doesn't charge to much. We're planning on 40 straight run, but might go 50 just in case...

 

[PineappleMama]

After doing a lot of snooping, asking a lot of questions, etc. I settled on Dels for a good DP for us... of course, that's a someday plan, not this minute. And it's a plan based on Texas weather, but there ya go.

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Chickens been raised for along time in TX. I doubt you'll have any worries.