Poll: What kind of Meat Birds do you raise?

[UluLaté]

We have 2 flocks of birds, 1 for laying and 1 for meat.. The meat birds are double or near double the size of the layers.. Some here know what we're keeping as I have said elsewhere.. But I will be bringing these to market locally and calling them BYBs backyardbroilers or maybe Prepper birds.. Our meatbirds are of a Cornish cross but NOT the typical cx that we have kept and processed at 50 days.. These birds are a sustainable bird and other than curled toes appear to have no issues living a productive life.. Matter of fact the meaties are outlaying the layers at present.. The meat birds were 5 months on the 2nd and 4 hens are laying the layers are 3 weeks older and only 2 are laying at present... They are new to us, I bought them for a sustainable flock and at present I do not know what the chicks will become.. If they follow the footsteps of these young adults I forsee no problem stocking our freezer with good eats from a productive bird..

What breed are these? How much do they weigh? Have any of the eggs hatched?

 

[PioneerChicks]

When do you harvest heritage chickens? I'm going to try my hand at some this year!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

When do you harvest heritage chickens? I'm going to try my hand at some this year!

Usually at 16 weeks

 

[Aklady318]

I'm raising midgit white turkeys for meat...though I can't seem to process Anything yet..thats the plan. This spring I'm hoping both my turkey hens go bloody agsin and hatch their clutches. As long As I don't touch Any of their babies...i can process them
Midgit Whites are not as big as other turkeys thus making a fine meat bird. They grow FAST too. These are my tommy boy and Vivienne at just 3 months old.

 

[PioneerChicks]

Usually at 16 weeks

Thank you! Is there a reason you wait that long/don't do it later?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Thank you! Is there a reason you wait that long/don't do it later?

They take that long to get large enough, and then turn tough around 18 weeks I think

 

[PioneerChicks]

They take that long to get large enough, and then turn tough around 18 weeks I think

That's super helpful, thank you!

 

[Nathan20]

We try and do two batches a year of Cornish cross that we buy as chicks with our neighbour and his brother. We also have layers that we sometimes breed from or add numbers to and any surplus Roosters from that are processed also.

 

[VeryHappyHens]

I’m raising a very rude broiler he is very rude!!!

 

[SheaLoner]

I did a run of CX and the meat line of New Hampshires from freedom ranger last year. Will be doing so again this year. The CX are good for those in the Fam who like boneless skinless breast meat. And the NH are my whole roasting and soup birds. Harvested roosters at 12-14 weeks and I got 6-7lb dressed birds.
I'm only ordering the NH again because I saved back the wrong rooster last year and He is going in a Pot! as soon as I have a replacement. That line is sustainable as is. The hens lay fairly well you just need to make sure they dont gorge themselves. I may have a few 12lb hens right now at 10 months old.