good meat bird(not cornish)

[pringle]

Ok at my feed store they hade cornish meat birds I asked if I could get them but I have to get a minimum of 25 whihc is kinda alot for me.im just thinking now what other bird would be decent for meat I was thinking white rocks or delawares but im not to sure.plzz help me

 

[ging3rhoffman]

We use the white rocks. We process them at 12 weeks of age but they seem ready by 10 or 11 weeks. The white rock is what people use to use for meat birds until the cornish rock. The cornish rocks can come with problems so we decided on the white rocks.

I have read where delawares are a good meat bird also.

 

[Judy]

Actually, any "heavy" or "dual purpose" breed is fine for meat. Barred Rocks and Rhode Island Reds are often used for meat, for example. They say Buff Orps grow out nice big thighs and legs if you are a dark meat person. When I was a kid, we got RIR every spring, and butchered them through the summer and fall, eating the last of them before really hard winter set in. I like to butcher around 12-16 weeks; they are not full size, but they are still tender and tasty.

There is also something called a Cobb chicken that I know nothing about, except they are intended for meat.

Also, JM Hatchery sells colored rangers, a hybrid bred for meat.

 

[pringle]

Ok thx,ill probly buy some delwares and white rocks to see which ones grow faster.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Were trying the Freedom Rangers this year from JMhatchery...hear they are great foragers and taste wonderful, and look like "Real" chickens too!

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

If you like leg 1/4's Buff Orpingtons are the way to go - you can almost feel the ground shake when one runs by.

Dark Cornish make a good meat bird - these aren't the crosses but the orginal DC

Rhode Island Red and Speckled Sussex are also good table birds.

Our Fav is a Cuckoo Marans, after tasting one I can why chefs prefer them, they are large solid birds

Steve in NC

 

[Kezzie]

Steve, what would you think about a Cuckoo Maran and DC cross?

 

[Bossroo]

The Cornish X has NO peer when it comes to the production of the most meat in the shortest amount of time. In 4 weeks, I enjoy roasted 1- 1 1/2 lb Game hens. In production time of 6-8 weeks my freezer camp is bursting at the seams with 4 - 6 lbs. friers awaiting the Bar-B- Que.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Quote:
Actually we had a person buy some eggs from us of each breed with that in mind last spring. I don't remember if they were here on BYC or it was another sale, it will take awhile to see how it worked out. We asked them to keep us informed of how it went.

Steve

 

[ging3rhoffman]

We have 5 BO and 5 Delawares that we are going to try as meat birds. They are just a week old now. What should I feed to fatten them up and when should I start feeding them what they need beside the chick starter.