Minnesota!

[Minniechickmama]

I would be happy to get you set up with some Bucks, Ralphie! Those birds in the big barn, which is open-air, are fairing much better than those who are in outter pens that a covered and closed but still are subject to the damp and cold of being outside to a large extent.
So, you will have to find a couple of friend and order a box of Bucks this year I hatch until June.

 

[Cluckies]

Quote:
That is good to hear, to cold to go around with bare backs and I would hate to have the Guinea kicked out of the coop and it wasn't them...

 

[duluthralphie]

That is good to hear, to cold to go around with bare backs and I would hate to have the Guinea kicked out of the coop and it wasn't them...

Well, Not really, After all they are Guineas and one thing I have learned in my 9 months as a guinea owner is they cause most the problems around the farm.... And those they do not cause they would have had they thought of it first...

 

[lalaland]

minniechickmama, are you able to vacinate for mareks? I'ld also be interested in buckeyes this spring - would it make sense to grow out the roosters to butcher?

 

[Minniechickmama]

minniechickmama, are you able to vacinate for mareks? I'ld also be interested in buckeyes this spring - would it make sense to grow out the roosters to butcher?

I do not vaccinate any chicks.
It definitely is worth growing out your extras to eat. They should easily reach 4# carcass by 24-weeks of age and have a really nice drumstick portion and decent breast meat on them too.

 

[duluthralphie]

I do not vaccinate any chicks.
It definitely is worth growing out your extras to eat. They should easily reach 4# carcass by 24-weeks of age and have a really nice drumstick portion and decent breast meat on them too.

Nice drumsticks??


How nice?

I am looking for the perfect cross to give me tender large dark meat at a relatively young age.

 

[Minniechickmama]

Nice drumsticks??


How nice?

I am looking for the perfect cross to give me tender large dark meat at a relatively young age.

Do you ever get down to the Rochester area? I would love to show you some of my birds so you can see for yourself. I have raised Jersey Giants, Orpingtons, Australorps,Cochins, New Hampshires, Purebred Cornish, Minorcas, Marans, and a few other lighterweight breeds. The Buckeyes have always filled out to a dress condition well before any of the others. You can feel as they are a chicks and juvies, the difference in muscle. The Cornish are hefty, but they are the Bulldogs of the chicken world, however, they don't get that way immediately and go through a leggy stage first.
If you want a darn near perfect cross, put a Cornish and Buckeye together. Even using hatchery type Cornish, I have found those to be excellent for a pasture raised meat bird.
You mention tender. Any non-CRX type is going to have a firm muscle than those, especially if raised on pasture.

 

[duluthralphie]

I actually get down there a few times a year, My brother in law has a huge farm just north of Dodge Center on hwy 56. I think he just laughs at my little farming things..


I t is amazing you mention the cross, that was my first thought. If I am successful and can get my CX's to actually breed this year, I will be looking for crosses for them. I like the CX, but to be honest, for just my wife and I a CX is a lot of meat. I fix one chicken and it is good for 4 days worth of meals. We both grab the legs/thighs and the rest becomes soup or hotdish. I even bought a grinder just to make chicken burgers out of the breasts. I refuse to let any part of a living creature go to waste.(within reason).

I was planning on my second hatch this spring being a cross between my CX hens and a rainbow rooster. I thought it would give me larger rear quarters while cutting down the front.

I was everything free range and slow down the growth on my CX's. I am not in a hurry to process them. I butchered most of them at 13 weeks, which made a 8-11 pound dressed bird. BUT they are really good. Even though there are horror stories about CX's, when raised slower and forced to move about they become amazing birds.

I would love to see your birds, However, If I stop to see them, I would most likely try to buy one, or two, or three. I would need ear plugs for the ride home though, my better half thinks I have enough birds...She so wrong!

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Buckeye, buckeye, buckeye!!!

 

[Dandelioness]

Duluth Ralphie - your posts crack me up.

I always love seeing other people's setup - but now I think I will have to make trip down to Minnechickmama's place for sure this spring. I'm sold on the Buckeye, too.

Maybe we should make it a field trip. LOL