Heritage Breed Vs. Cornish Rock X

[Southerngirl]

To me its about the time difference. We raise both, but to mainly fill our freezer we use the Jumbo Cornish X. In 8 weeks I have huge chickens compared to 4-6 months for a heritage breed. BUT, the heritage breeds taste wonderful too. All my extra roos from the spring hatches go in the freezer for stewing, crockpot etc. The best breed for me has been the Buff Orpington. They dress out to a beautiful white bird! And the Dark Cornish are heavy and juicy too!! Barred rocks, Australorps and Rhode Island reds are fine too. Why not try both? Order about 10-15 Cornish and 10-15 heritage roos grow them out and compare. Good luck!

I ordered my Buff Orpingtons from Cackle hatchery, very cheap pricing on the roos.

Buff Orpington Roos Before:

Buff Orpington Roos After:

 

[BarredBuff]

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I will probably do that. Cackle roos are dirt cheap anyhow. That sounds like a good idea!

 

[BarredBuff]

Are Delawares a good heritage meatie?

 

[dancingbear]

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Once upon a time, Delawares were one of the preferred meat breeds, before the Cornish X was developed. Hatchery stock isn't likely to be very meaty, these days, but you could get lucky. If you happen across some good breeder stock, and you can get some of them, they'll most likely turn out a lot better. Same goes for any of the breeds that were once raised mostly for meat. Delaware, Dominique, Standard Cornish (not the meat hybrids) Dorkings, Rhode Island Red, New Hampshire Red, Buff Orpington, and Plymouth Rocks are the ones that I'm thinking of off the top of my head, there are others that people like for meat, too. Salmon Faverolles, Marans. The hens of these breeds are decent layers, too, BTW, not the best for the least fed, like a leghorn or an Isa Brown, but certainly enough for keeping your household supplied with eggs.