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!
I hatch until June.
