Has Anyone Raised Murray McMurray's Delaware Broilers?

[Straw Hat]

I've never dealt with McMurray. That is a disappointing response.

The cagey response is perplexing. As is referring to them as hybrids in their blog posting, but not in their catalog description.

 

[Molpet]

The cagey response is perplexing. As is referring to them as hybrids in their blog posting, but not in their catalog description.

Yes either the person responding to me was an office clerk that didn't have info, or they were avoid the question.
I reread the blog post. It's not from the company

 

[Straw Hat]

The blog post is absolutely on McMurray's website.
https://blog.mcmurrayhatchery.com/2020/02/27/selecting-the-best-chicken-breeds-for-your-homestead/ or https://blog.mcmurrayhatchery.com/
https://blog.mcmurrayhatchery.com/
It is accessible by going to the McMurray website and clicking "blog" at the header. Most of the articles are about customer contests. They may have guest writers on their blog. Who knows? She may be paid. But the information on that blog is part of their official website.

 

[Straw Hat]

Just wanted to post the response I received from McMurray. I asked in an email 1) Are these chickens hybrids and 2) Do they breed true? This is the response.

"Our Delaware Broiler will provide more meat then comparable Heritage birds, but retain the great characteristics that make this bird a traditional barnyard favorite. They will mate naturally but offspring will differ slightly."

 

[nicalandia]

"Our Delaware Broiler will provide more meat then comparable Heritage birds, but retain the great characteristics that make this bird a traditional barnyard favorite. They will mate naturally but offspring will differ slightly."

Because they are a cross. They already have the Redbro females, when crossed to a Delaware rooster the chicks will look like Delawares but if bred together you will get different colors

These are modern day "Indian River Cross" Delaware x New Hampshire

https://www.cacklehatchery.com/delaware-x-hampshire-cross-indian-river.html

 

[wolfwalker]

Interesting. I am eager to hear what folks' experiences are with breeding them. Strange for them to use the word "hybrid" in the company's blog post.

Have you harvested any of yours yet Wolfwalker? I'm in Arizona as well and am looking for a more sustainable meat bird option.

1 who got injured right before we moved. I have another 8 to harvest for the freezer once I stop working 10 hour days building infrastructure. Wing meat half to 3/4 more than teh CX and legs are larger. decent amount of breast meat, but the CX outclass them in that department.

 

[wolfwalker]

Just wanted to post the response I received from McMurray. I asked in an email 1) Are these chickens hybrids and 2) Do they breed true? This is the response.

"Our Delaware Broiler will provide more meat then comparable Heritage birds, but retain the great characteristics that make this bird a traditional barnyard favorite. They will mate naturally but offspring will differ slightly."

This is disappointing and opposite of what they told me. Oh well, I will keep hunting for a decent heritage dual purpose then.

 

[Hamster0425]

Post bumping to see if there is any new feedback on these.

 

[gatrapper]

I called McMurray today. They confirmed the bird is indeed a hybrid. I was told they crossed the Delaware with another breed to get back to a larger bird like it was historically. They told me that it should not be considered a true heritage.

 

[trapper175]

I called McMurray today. They confirmed the bird is indeed a hybrid. I was told they crossed the Delaware with another breed to get back to a larger bird like it was historically. They told me that it should not be considered a true heritage.

does that imply then, that they won't breed true? I ordered 15 of these to ship this month and was told at that time that they would breed true but I'm now questioning the reliability of that information after reading this thread