I've raised New Hampshires (NH), Cornish Cross (CX), White Rangers, and Ginger Broilers. WR, GB are 3 month broilers, CX mature in 6-8 wks or less, NH take 3-5 months.
CX can mature to 10-12 lbs in 6-8 wks (in my experience)
NH mature to 8-10 lbs in 3-5 months
GB mature to 7-9 lbs in 3 months
WR mature to 8-10 lbs in 3 months
NH, GB, WR act like normal chickens, CX do not - CX require special setup and consideration, don't scatter from predators and danger like normal chickens, lay down a lot and tend to die young from heart attacks and have leg issues. Most will literally die in under two years if left to live, even with the best diet and care you can give them. Genetically not designed to live past processing age of 8-10 weeks or younger. Those small spit roasted chickens / cornish game hens you see in
Walmart? Those are 3-4 week old CX chicks. Losing 1-3 birds out of 25 is not uncommon due to heart or leg issues prior to processing at 8-10 wks.
The NH I have are bred for mainly meat production but also produce eggs - a few have had leg issues, and I think one heart issue later in life. A lot hardier than the CX. Some "angel wing" type wing issues, but as they're meat birds I don't care as much.
GB were inconsistent in size, lots of smaller birds and the roosters were human aggressive, so difficult to keep. Laid poor quality eggs but did lay and breed. Not sold as sustainable meat flock, but I tried it anyway.
WR hens stopped laying after first year - I believe they were too fat. Also not sure the roo can fertilize anyone, he's so large. WR have had quite a few "angel wing" type issues. Sold as like a CX but slower growth to processing size and hardier, and they deliver on that promise. Not sold as sustainable meat flock. I've had a few deaths from heart attack after 1 year old, but one hen and roo lived 2+ years for me, roo is still going strong (I ate the hen at 2 years because she wasn't laying - otherwise she was perfectly healthy, but getting picked on, and too heavy to fly up to roost with the flock anymore, so her quality of life wasn't great). Didn't lay long term, so not sustainable after first year of growth.
NH can be used to maintain a self-sustaining meat bird flock, which is the main appeal of the breed. I got my NH from Freedom Ranger Hatchery, which carries a line of NH bred for meat first, with eggs as a side benefit. They aren't the largest in the shortest amount of time compared to CX and 3m broilers I've tried, but they all lay eggs regularly after maturity which are good quality, medium to large size. The roo is not too large to do his job, while still being quite hefty (good for meat). Hens and roos are both significantly hefty with good temperaments and not human aggressive, a big deal for me with small children about. I don't free range them due to predators, but with precautions it could be done - good candidate for tractoring. They are hefty, heavy, and get around pretty well for meat birds. They are what I'd recommend for a sustainable heritage breed flock at this point.
There are a number of other breeds if you're looking for sustainable meat bird flock - Breese comes to mind, also Sasso, there's also some other options on Freedom Ranger Hatchery's website.
Good luck with your presentation.
