My own variety of meat birds

[chanceosunshine]

The reason the cockerels gain flavor is the hormones of puberty. Those hormones cause the meat to develop "texture" so it can be chewy and also develop that flavor. Some people consider that flavor to be "gamey" and don't like it. Several of us, like you, enjoy the extra flavor.

Your CX will probably not live long enough for those hormones to have an effect. You might see some effect with your FR. With Dual Purpose we typically keep them long enough so you do notice it.

I love the idea that you are experimenting for yourself so you can reach your own conclusions instead of relying on some stranger on the internet like me to tell you what you will see. Taste is very subjective, we all like what we like.

That makes complete sense. The best tasting bird we ever had was about a year old and had gone after my husband when my husband was working on a ladder and had a short board in his hand. Long story short, the bird was delicious! So flavorful.

It also clears up why store chickens don’t make great broth. And now that reminds me of an old Italian lady who used to tell us to use an old chicken for the best broth.

Thank you!

 

[SweetieChicken234]

Found a few pictures to share.
These were the Columbian Rock/Freedom Rangers, and the Columbian Rock/Dark Cornish. at around 2 months old.
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Just saw this. How interesting. They look like my Delawares.