Looking for the best meat birds

[EggWalrus]

Do you know how French Bresse compare on a feed cost per lb dressed? I've had the Bresse at a friend's years ago and I can honestly say it was probably the best tasting chicken I've ever had.

Source: https://projects.sare.org/sare_project/fnc12-866/
Feed efficiency rates based on dressed weight (lb. feed per lb. carcass), by breed:
– Dominique – 7.66
– White Plymouth Rock – 7.17
– Naked Neck – 7.13
– Silver-Laced Wyandotte – 8.34
– Speckled Sussex – 7.30
– New Hampshire Red – 7.38
– Delaware – 7.64
– AVERAGE – 7.49

Cost of production per lb. dressed weight, by breed*:
– Dominique – $4.08
– White Plymouth Rock – $3.71
– Naked Neck – $3.73
– Silver-Laced Wyandotte – $4.21
– Speckled Sussex – $4.01
– New Hampshire Red – $3.82
– Delaware – $4.05
– AVERAGE – $3.90[/QUOTE]

 

[Kaybear1950]

Thanks everyone! Looks like I have a little more research to do!

 

[EggWalrus]

Another good meat bird is Muscovy. Most people think they taste more like sirloin that duck. Matter of fact, they aren't really ducks, they just look like them. They put on weight faster than even the CXs. They go broody and are great at being a self sustaining flock. Here is a link that tells all about them. Check it out, these may fit the bill, op.

https://www.milkwood.net/2014/01/14/muscovy-ducks-a-great-homesteading-breed/

 

[Kaybear1950]

Another good meat bird is Muscovy. Most people think they taste more like sirloin that duck. Matter of fact, they aren't really ducks, they just look like them. They put on weight faster than even the CXs. They go broody and are great at being a self sustaining flock. Here is a link that tells all about them. Check it out, these may fit the bill, op.

https://www.milkwood.net/2014/01/14/muscovy-ducks-a-great-homesteading-breed/

I actually have muscovies I will be culling soon. I have 15 ducklings from one duck (2 weeks away from cull date) and she's back in the breeding pen. She was very broody and I've had to fight her off with a rake more than once. Her picture is my avatar. I have a trio but my male duck is needing another female.

 

[EggWalrus]

I actually have muscovies I will be culling soon. I have 15 ducklings from one duck (2 weeks away from cull date) and she's back in the breeding pen. She was very bloody and I've had to fight her off with a rake more than once. Her picture is my avatar. I have a trio but my male duck is needing another female.

Thats one point I forgot. Any waterfowl is VERY protective of her eggs, some drakes too. As long as you haven't already convinced the bird you are a threat, if you give them a wide berth (not get too close), they usually won't attack you. They really like their privacy when brooding.
Kay, how would you describe the flavor of muscovy, close to greasy old duck, or more like sirloin, or some other meat?

 

[EggWalrus]

I have a trio but my male duck is needing another female.[/QUOTE]

I keep telling my wife the same thing about this male, but she ain't buying it.

 

[Mosey2003]

Duck is cool and all, but it's really not a substitute if you want chicken. My parents, for instance, absolutely hate duck.

 

[EggWalrus]

Duck is cool and all, but it's really not a substitute if you want chicken. My parents, for instance, absolutely hate duck.

You're right, it isn't a substitute for chicken, just another good meat.
A muscovy isn't a duck technically and doesn't taste like a duck. Even if they look like a duck and walk like a Duck, they don't quack and aren't greasy like a duck.

 

[Kaybear1950]

I actually have muscovies I will be culling soon. I have 15 ducklings from one duck (2 weeks away from cull date) and she's back in the breeding pen. She was very bloody and I've had to fight her off with a rake more than once.

Thats one point I forgot. Any waterfowl is VERY protective of her eggs, some drakes too. As long as you haven't already convinced the bird you are a threat, if you give them a wide berth (not get too close), they usually won't attack you. They really like their privacy when brooding.
Kay, how would you describe the flavor of muscovy, close to greasy old duck, or more like sirloin, or some other meat?

I can say I have not tasted these ducks yet. I have had Pekin duck but these will be my first Muscovy. So in a couple of weeks I will find out. I really like steak which is one reason I got them but if they ended up tasting like a duck I would not mind one bit.

 

[Kaybear1950]

I have a trio but my male duck is needing another female.

I keep telling my wife the same thing about this male, but she ain't buying it.
[/QUOTE]
I feel like our drake is very hard on our females. In the time one female duck has gone broody etc. our drake has managed to almost pluck out our second female. I feel like to be fair to her I should get another female. The only thing I worry about is having three females 9-15 ducklings each. We could have 27-45 ducklings at any given time.