Hatchery meat bird? Mixed layer?

[Nimueh Alene]

I bought mixed breed brown layers from a hatchery and this chick was included .Hatchery said its a buff orphinton barred rock mix. His age is 9 weeks and he's 7 pounds. Mixed layer or meat bird? The hen next to him is same age and 4 1/2#. Meat bird also ?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Meat bird, IMO.

Orps aren't great layers and they are heavy birds... that makes them heavy on the feed bill compared to the amount of eggs you get in return from lighter breeds.

Are you sure the one next to him is is a hen? I'd eat that one too.

 

[Nimueh Alene]

I have 2 others that look like the one in front.. One huge buff colored one and a reddish one... Really disappointed in the hatchery... Today Meatie weigh 7.25#
The other 4.75
Buff weigh 4.12
Orange one weigh 4#
Hatched 2-28. so 10 weeks old ?
The white rock is 16 weeks old for comparison.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I've never raised meat birds... just heritage breeds... So my opinion may not count. 7# seems like a good weight for 9 weeks to me.

I like the growth on the White Rocks usually. But we don't process before 16-20 weeks and sell of females. And I don't weigh the birds regularly before processing since I just do what's convenient for me and my hatching/processing schedule.

 

[Zapa]

Sounds like you're thinking this might be crossed with a Cornish broiler. They do not breed true. So if you were able to bring 2 Broilers to breeding age and successfully bred them the offspring would just be like normal White Rock/Leghorn cross.

Both Orpingtons and Barred Rocks have the potential to be very large. I had a Barred rock rooster that was 22lbs and was larger than my Jersey Giant Roo. Chickens like people are individuals and very in size and temperament. This is especially true when you cross unrelated breeds. "Hybrid Vigor" is the term.

I your case from what i see, there is no reason to question the hatchery description.

 

[cottontail farm]

I bought mixed breed brown layers from a hatchery and this chick was included .Hatchery said its a buff orphinton barred rock mix. His age is 9 weeks and he's 7 pounds. Mixed layer or meat bird? The hen next to him is same age and 4 1/2#. Meat bird also ?View attachment 1375888

I know most roosters are pretty but wow, he's gorgeous!

 

[bngowe]

7 lbs! For a hatchery bird that’s good! I don’t have the same luck with hatchery birds. I bought some gold laced wyandottes for meat birds and at 28 weeks it’s still only around 6 lbs. my RIR stayed around 5-6lbs at around 20 weeks and wouldn’t get heavier