Recomened Layer/Meat bird for warm climates

[CuriousChicken]

This is more about starting my flock, I have a hen and a rooster already but I'm looking to start a working flock. Full disclosure I live in Hawaii, so being able to with stand warm and wet is a must. In theory I could go catch some wild chickens, but Bantams don't make good meat brids and I'm looking for a dual purpose bird.

So what are your breed recommendations?

 

[lazy gardener]

Wow! More specifics, please! How big a family will you be serving? How much land do you have available? Any predator issues? Will you free range, or keep your flock penned? How often would you want to harvest a bird for the table? Will you use an incubator, or want your birds to be broody? How concerned are you about feed conversion rates?

 

[CuriousChicken]

It'll be 3 adults, plus cooking and serving back any extras. We have 3 acres and the birds will be free range during the day, cooped at night. I'm thinking a bird on the table one or twice a year will be good, the flock will be mostly for eggs but I'd like to have to option of a nice fat bird on the table if the flock gets to big. I'm pretty sure we'll be using an incubator, its just more reliable. Predator aren't such a problem, there are a couple of hawks that live in the area and some mongoose.

Feed conversion rates is where it gets tricky, I'd like to keep it as low as possible but at the same time I know I'm not going to achieve store bought prices. The plan is to get chicks, my landlord was thinking RIR's but he knows squat about birds, and let my hen show them the ropes so they learn to be good foragers. I want chickens for the sake of chickens and would feed them the best I could afford to, right now I'm feeding the babies organic mixed grains with oyster shell available for the hen.

We will also be feeding them garden waste.... and lots of it. My landlord has a green house, he grows a variety of greens and sells them to market vendors. The problem is a LOT of it gets tossed because its not pretty enough... people are weird about their veggies. There's a lot of money being thrown away, I can only eat so much lettuce! The landlord knows I want chickens and he's looking to recoup some of the costs. I don't know if that's feasible to do and still feed the chickens properly.

I've tried to explain to him that its more complicated than throw them in the yard and let them peck... but I just don't think he gets it. In the end, I'll probably just feed them commercial layer feed and be done with it. But the organic grains make the eggs sooo good, anyway I'm rambling now, sorry.

 

[curious chickee]

Which island? Big difference in rain between Oahu and Kauai. I would suggest going on to the natural chicken thread, https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...eeping-thread-ots-welcome/36320#post_15146575 they have lots of ideas on how to keep the feed more natural and since you are in Hawaii you have the ability to get variety of fresh greens and fruit. Check out local restaurants for their produce waste. For balance and to add more proteins, chickens love fish, look at your local fish markets. You can always leave some commercial feed out for so they can have a choice, just make sure it has a way to stay dry from the rain.

 

[CuriousChicken]

I"m on the big island in upper Puna, we get a good deal of rain and the coup will be a converted cinder block building. I've already looked at it and its got pretty good ventilation, I'm also going to drill some venting holes near the roof, just to be sure. I'm not to worried about over heating since they'll only be using it at night. I have considered going around and collecting food waste, but the easiest place to get it is the Farmers markets... and a couple of people out here already have that cornered. But I will ask at the local health food stores and see if I can have their throw away.

 

[CuriousChicken]

Having done some research and asking around I'm thinking Barred Rocks, I've seen them in action out here over long periods I know they do well. I know they are friendly, good layers and decent meat birds... Yup... Thinking Barred Rocks