OK... What is the best Heritage meat bird?

[Buster52]

Quote:
Nice to see I'm not the only one with some of those.

 

[bigredfeather]

Quote:
Nice to see I'm not the only one with some of those.

Are you guys part of some "secret" government chicken breeding program? lol.

 

[dancingbear]

Quote:
Nice to see I'm not the only one with some of those.

Are you guys part of some "secret" government chicken breeding program? lol.

Yes, top secret...oops, I guess it's out, now. EEK, everybody's cover is blown!

On the subject of roos, both friendly and non, I will not tolerate a mean roo. They get eaten. I've had wonderful, healthy, (fertility of my hens' eggs was very high) protective roos that were not the least human-aggressive, and were nice to the hens, too. Being mean or aggressive has nothing to do with overall vigor, or protectiveness, IMHO. Some of them are just plain mean.

Right now I have some Delaware roos destined for the freezer because they've turned out to be chick hunters. They stalk and hunt the chicks, in a group, and gang up all at once to attack. Like velociraptors. So I'm keeping the hens, but the Delaware/Velociraptor cross roos are soon to be history. Too bad, beautiful birds. Can't have them murdering all the offspring.

 

[Junkmanme]

THIS "thread" is one of the MOST INTERESTING that I have read on "Backyard Chickens" ! (and I have read MANY.)

I have been planning to "incorporate" some Jersey BLACK Giants into my home-flock. This is for increased size. I've also considered Dark Cornish for "conformation".

NOW, I'm convinced that I need to seriously consider "Buckeyes" !!

(I could use a strain of chickens that are "good mousers"! WOW ! That would be an unexpected benefit. I hope it is not just a "rumor" !!!)

I'm interested in "Chicken Genetics".....but NOT FOR COLOR, particularly. I'm interested in the Genetics for reasons such as temperment, vitality, egg-laying, disease-resistance, size, intelligence, etc.

I HOPE this thread continues to provide the quality information (and humor) that it has so far! (Still wondering about "Dorking"

Ha-Ha!)

GREAT Topic, GREAT postings, GREAT information !!!

-Junkmanme-

 

[dancingbear]

Quote:
I've thought about adding Jersey Giants for size, but they grow so slowly. I've read that they mostly grow skeleton for about the first 6 months. So instead, I went with Brahmas. They don't get as tall, but they bulk up nicely, a lot faster than Jerseys. (they aren't fast growers, just faster than J.'s)

I have one Dorking hen, the lone hatchling of a batch of shipped eggs. I haven't yet hatched any of her eggs, I've been waiting for a dark Cornish roo to breed her to. I have some now, but I'm still clearing the decks, so to speak, of other roos, taking care of that this weekend. If we don't get rained out or something.

Dorking hen, standard Cornish roo, has been a popular meat bird cross in England for a long time. I'm looking forward to trying them out.

I'm also hoping for the mouser rep to be well founded. I could use that talent, for sure. The chicken "Mouse Hound"!

 

[dadof4]

I'm maintaing a flock of Red Dorkings for meat. I also have a small group of Houdans that I will try crossing to see what happens there. I really like the Dorkings. They have nice white skin and grow fairly fast. They are sweet birds and the roos seem to find thier place pretty quick in the order.

 

[Clay In Iowa]

OK Guys a HUGE thanks for the help in deciding what heritage breed to try. I have decide to try the Buckeyes.

And another special thanks to bigredfeather for mentioning Pathfinders (with an 's') from right here on the forums. She is sending me 15 eggs for the cost of shipping ($12) with the understanding that if I get chicks I join new breed club she has started ($15). If I don't get chicks no worries she will send more in the spring. WHAT A DEAL and she is a wonderful person the chat with to boot.

I should get eggs this week and will from time to time let you all know how they work out.

 

[hildymarie]

who near northern michigan as these? I checked the website of mt healthy and townline which according to the ALBC has them but they dotn show they have any. I'll probably have to wait til spring to order them but would like to know who has buckeyes.
Any ideas?

 

[dancingbear]

Quote:
Clay, that was me that mentioned Pathfinders. Big red feather suggested Buckeye Dave.

Hildymarie, you should be able to get some eggs from either of these two, I'm getting mine from Pathfinders.

Not in Northern Michigan, but if you don't want to get shipped eggs, maybe one of them can help you find a local breeder.

 

[jaku]

Quote:
Call Townline- their website isn't that great, and I don't think they keep it updated. It's a GREAT hatchery though, especially for those of us in Michigan.