Looking for a HUGE thigh and a big pair of legs!!

[duluthralphie]

We (my wife and I) like the hind quarters of chickens.

We raised 2 batches of Cornish crosses this summer. One batch is at freezer camp the other will be sailing around Columbus day.

They are great birds, they grow fast, even though I purposely slowed down my second group. BUT they have one problem, there breasts!

When we bought chicken in the supermarket we would each eat half a breast, just because we do not waste any meat. We actually buy legs/thighs/quarters or wings most of the time. Now that we are raising our own food that is not an option. Even though we do give our kids breasts for their families when they come here.


SO that outlines my problem, now I need help on a solution. What breed gives me the largest thighs and legs? I would still like relatively fast growing. I am working on crossing some of my own with CX's but It would go faster to rely on the expertise people here have developed.


Someone the other day mentioned Marans, I know nothing about the breed, but will be looking at them for the spring....All I can do is dream of another spring and summer as winter is soon on us here.

Thanks for your suggestions.. If it matters, I am not a purist crossbreeds are fine with me.

 

[LakeMomNY]

Subscribing.

 

[duluthralphie]

Hey Lakemom,,



I saw someone posted on here, and you were going to tell me the chicken I want...

welcome

 

[LakeMomNY]

Sorry!!

I am a dark meat girl and am right with you that CX giant breasts are a flaw not an asset.

This year is my family's first year with chickens -- nine laying hens, though I'm not convinced they are all hens!

We are hooked. Even my 15 year old skeptic has a wish list and plans to show some in next year's fair.

I would only feel comfortable housing about 12 in our current set up (a modified and enlarged Wichita Cabin Coop) but we have room to add a good sized run off the back, and some meaties that didn't need to be overwintered could work out nicely.

Plus, since one of our beloved RIRs is MEAN my kids have decided that they would be ok with eating the chickens after all.

 

[LakeMomNY]

Ok deluthralphie, I spent all last night researching this, and it looks like Brahmas may be worth looking at.

Anybody out there have any thoughts?

 

[duluthralphie]

Some one told me Marans also.

We may have to develop our own cross breed. I can't believe we are the only ones that like dark meat.

 

[LakeMomNY]

Hmmm...a mixed pen of

Brahmas
Marans
Rocks
Delawares
Dorkings

Let them mix and self brood, start selecting for foraging ability, growth rate, high dark meat ratio....

Wanna come help me build a bigger coop? There's beer in the fridge and great fishing from the back yard...

 

[duluthralphie]

I got good fishing around here and need a bigger coop too...

So head west!

There is always beer in the beer fridge here.

 

[LakeMomNY]

Duluth (I am assuming that's where you are) is too cold for me!

Backpacked in northern MN one fall many, many years ago. 2 liter water bottles would freeze solid over night. In SEPTEMBER. Brrrrr.

 

[aoxa]

Any dual purpose bird is going to give you less breasts.. now for the largest legs/thighs.. I would not go with Marans. They are thin compared to a Rock..

I crossed Cochin and Rock and had huge legs on them.