Nevadans?

[gaited horse]

My little boys getting a ton better. I just need to start putting weight back on him.

 

[ajlynco]

Good Morning Folks, what's the best breed I can raise for meat here in Reno? What are your thoughts on Buff Orps? I'll have RIR's & BR's come spring.

 

[NevadaRon]

That's a tough one, ajlynco. So-called dual-purpose breeds are not going to be cost effective to raise for meat. They will eat way more feed and take a lot longer to raise before they are ready for butchering. Which leaves you with the "meaties" - birds bred for meat. There are really only two choices, Cornish X and Freedom Rangers, also called Red Broilers and other names depending on where you get them. CX grow super fast, they are ready for processing in 6-8 weeks. This type will most resemble what you get at the grocery store. FRs take only a couple weeks longer, and tend to act more like a chicken. CX will just lay in front of the food dish all day eating. CX will have a heavier breast, FR will have a smaller breast but better legs and thighs.

 

[laceynoelle]

I like useing standard cornish for meat. They are actually chickens in the sence that yeah, it does take them longer to mature, but theyre still really feed efficient and they have a life outside of eating. I think its kinda creepy that chickens can go from egg to dinner table in 2 months. Ive got a flock of dark cornishes, and even though theyre not genetically bred to grow as fast, at a month old theyre twice as big as the other chicks (Wyandottes, rocks, and some other things) Im really happy with them. Theyve also got cool feathers to do crafts and stuff with after processing.
I dont like the cornish cross, but we're going to get some of them in the spring to try. My mom is looking for efficiency. Im keeping serious track of my dark cornishes so we can compare. I know the crosses will have them beat, but hopefully dark corhishes will be worth the bit of extra time and feed.

 

[NevadaRon]

Lacey where did you get your Dark Cornish? I've been wanting to get some to try breeding my own meat birds. But they're difficult to find, especially quality, large birds. I'm planning to cross them over Delawares.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Quote:
I also think it is creepy..……….especially when you consider that 8 weeks is STILL an 8 week old CHICK – despite its size, it is not an adult, it is still an 8 week old chick. It is like veal – young so very tender, where a Dual Purpose or any bird who is allowed to grow into adulthood or close – is like steak.


Ajlynco I raise Orpingtons – not the buffs so much, but blacks, blues and splash. I do not raise hatchery stock (although I do have 2 hatchery buffs), mine are heritage stock and get fairly large. I really like the Orps for meat, as they are a large thigh bird and my DH prefers dark to light meat plus they are very docile, friendly bird - not flighty.

The thing to remember with the Orps, or even the RIR or BR – their frame grows first then when that stops growing they really start to lay on the muscle layers. So a 6 month old cockerel or pullet is nowhere near the true size it will be when it turns 18 months.


Lacey - keep up with your Cornish - they will have so much more flavor than the cornish-rock crosses. They are such a breasty bird.......I have thought about adding a few to the flock for mixed chicks.

 

[SunnyDawn]

Genny I love your new sig line quote!

I haven't tried raising meaties yet so I will just sit back until you guys perfect your crosses then I will buy them from you.

 

[sherylreno]

Morning all! I think Lacey is watching her Raider's play right now and I see they are ahead, good luck Lacey!

So my very nice neighbors bought themselves a pit bull this week. One of the boys - there are 3 of them, introduced her to me yesterday. He was saying how nice Lola is as she was drooling over the ladies. I explained to him my chickens are food to her and she will be trying to get them if she can. Their yard is higher than mine and she can already look over the 4ft high fence and she's only 10 weeks old. He said he's going to fix it so she won't ever escape and get to the chickens. Well needless to say my DH isn't happy at all because he's terrified of this breed.

Like most people he says it's a breed that no one should really have in a normal neighbor hood even though I keep telling him it's not the dog it's the owners of them. But I do know how they can be with birds too and it's hard to get it out of them. I DH better get the enclosure done right away with the wire he's planning on using. I told my neighbor do not use chicken wire make sure it's safe for my flock because it's only good for keeping the chickens in but not your Lola. He said he's a welder and he will use very heavy metal fencing. Let's hope on this one, I really like these guys and I don't want to be hurt or mad at them because of a beautiful Lola!

 

[aubreynoramarie]

Quote:
yikes! not just pitt bulls but any terrier breed! all i can say is at least it isnt a small breed like weenies or jack russels. hopefully your neighbors are responsible and we wont have any accidents

i mean who knows, i have a terrier ( a very close pitt cousin) and for the most part he gives us no trouble. however if that pooch hasnt ever seen chickens before she will probobly be very interested. maybe you guys could put up boards along the fence so she wont be able to even see then hens at all?


hey sunny...what did you think of the paint colors that we did on the outside of the house? different eh?

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Sheryl - you might think about getting a fence charger and putting up a strand of electric wire along the fence you share with Lola. That will help teach her to stay on her side.

You could also work with your neighbor on getting Lola use to the chickens, so when they run or make noise - they do not sound/look like a play toy to her. Many, many pits are very good with chickens and can be great neighbor dogs. (now your DH, we will have to work on him so he is not so terrified

)

It would be great if your neighbor would teach Lola the phrase "leave it" -- and then use it when she shows any interest in the chickens -- not the friendly interest that dogs who live with chickens show but the "I WANNA CHASE" interest that usually draws dogs to start chasing/killing birds.

Good Luck - it could turn out really great (what I am hoping for).