Meat Birds that can lay eggs??

[Lucky1]

i am planning on getting 10-15 meat birds in the spring, probably straight run, i would like them to lay eggs for me before they get slaughtered so then i can hatch out the next group of meaties, is there any specific breed that can lay for a while before they are big enough to be slaughtered? Also when do chickens start laying fertile eggs with cocks around??

 

[wren]

That's what dual purpose breeds are for! You will have to be a little more patient with them growing. Hens lay great the first two years. Heritage breeds are thought to be more tasty.

 

[Fred's Hens]

The dual purpose, larger bodied breeds, like the White Rock, Delaware, etc, were used for this purpose on the homestead. However, the females won't lay until they are 22, sometimes 24 weeks old. The cockerels won't becomes fertile roosters and master their breeding techniques until they are about the same age. Most people, who want tender meat, don't allow the birds to reach that age. Most dual purpose birds are processed between 15-18 weeks of age for maximum feed to weight ratio and cost effectiveness, as well as meat that is reasonably tender.

When the mature birds have sexual hormones flowing through them, the texture of the meat changes.

The typical CX meat bird is somewhat difficult to bring to sexual maturity. They are typically processed at 7-8 weeks of age. Even if you can/could limit feed enough to "breed" the CX, the result would not be as satisfactory as you might suppose. The CX is a complicated 4 way cross of grandparent stock, selectively bred for 50 years.

I hope you can see the challenge of doing what you are asking. Not impossible, just challenging.

 

[Lucky1]

My parents don't want to have to wait very long to have the chickens for dinner they don't want to house them through the winter, But i am wanting to raise some chicks for myself as a little project through the summer, but they would have to be ready to butcher by winter time. I am getting them by the end of this month, so i would have 8-9 1/2 months to try and have two batches, or should i just get come more hatchery chicks instead of raising my own?

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Your looking for a dual purpose bird then. Plymouth Rock, Sussex, Delaware, Wyandotte etc. are all good dual purpose breeds. Look for good layers that are heavier with good breast. If aesthetics of skin are concern stick with white birds- Light Sussex, White Rock or Delaware.

Waiting until egg laying is going to give you stew/dumpling meat. Cull excess roosters at 16 weeks for a more tender bird. Then you've a good egg laying flock left over and best rooster to continue the line- start a freezer camp flock.

 

[Lothiriel]

Delawares would make an excellent choice. Mine laid quite well for one of the heavier dual purpose breeds, but at the same time their growth rate was excellent and the meat is delicious.
Good luck!

 

[growinupinfl]

OH OH I KNOW this one YES THEY CAN!! I have raised 6 Cornish crosses and two freedom rangers who are about to turn one next month and yes they lay. They lay big x-large jumbo eggs, and I have hatched out chicks that are cornish crosses. If you want look under the for sale and there are some of them there, but I have to go. PM me and I will give you more information.

Christal

 

[Lucky1]

That is amazing that they started laying at 1 month old!! Is there anything special that you do to your birds?? ps. my computer is messing up so i cant send you a pm right now

 

[Lothiriel]

That is amazing that they started laying at 1 month old!! Is there anything special that you do to your birds?? ps. my computer is messing up so i cant send you a pm right now

I believe growinupinfl meant they will be turning 1 year next month. There is no breed that lays at 1 month. Chickens don't reach sexual maturity until around 5 months, meaning they can't lay eggs until then.

 

[Lucky1]

Oh oops, sorry