Meat bird gender question

[ticks]

Is it better to get roosters for meat birds, because they have more meat?

 

[snowydiamonds]

Not necessarily, my second flock of CornishX was 9 pullets and 1 cockerel -they all weighed the same and dressed out the same. I do find the pullets easier to shed the feathers along the back than the cockerels.

 

[MissPrissy]

I do cockerals. They have always tended to grow out a bit bigger faster. I have always had sweet docile birds too.

 

[ticks]

Quote:
Mcmurray hatchery prices:

Cornish Cross: males $1.75
3 to 4 pounds

Could these be meat birds?:
Buff Orpington: males $.95
9 to10 pounds

White Rock: Males $.82
8 to 9 pounds

What should I go with?

 

[MissPrissy]

I prefer the jumbo cornish cross.

 

[ticks]

Quote:
taste? or?

 

[fullhouse]

Quote:
Mcmurray hatchery prices:

Cornish Cross: males $1.75
3 to 4 pounds

Could these be meat birds?:
Buff Orpington: males $.95
9 to10 pounds

White Rock: Males $.82
8 to 9 pounds

What should I go with?

It will take your Orphington and rock nearly a year to get that big. The Cornish x 8 weeks, 12-16 if you want a mini turkey.

That said, we don't eat Cornish. We eat culled roos. I like them, they are just smaller and take longer.

If you want good prices on Cornish X, call Meyer Hatchery. They are very reasonable.

 

[MissPrissy]

I prefer the jumbos because in 10 weeks they are like small turkeys. With a large family the meat goes a long way and is still very tender and good eating.

 

[rooster-red]

You'll spend 3 times the money on feed to get orpingtons or rock to those weights.

The cornish cross is ready in 8-10 weeks, so your feed bill will be much lower.

The orpingtons and rocks are great for a layer flock.

 

[ticks]

Great thanks! I think I might get 25 next year and some BBB turkies.