Red Broiler or New Hampshire

[Chickenheadmate]

Which out of the two do you guys think would have more meat? Red Broiler from Hatchery or a New Hampshire chicken from a breeder?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

If you are referring to Red Broilers from a hatchery (Cackle?), they would likely grow out faster/have more meat than a dual purpose bird like a New Hampshire. But a lot would depend on how you raise them and at what age you butcher them. The best thing to do is ask the NH breeder about weight at certain ages, they should have those numbers.
https://www.cacklehatchery.com/cackle-s-red-broilers.html

 

[Ridgerunner]

There is an easy way to find out. Get a few of both and see for yourself. That takes away all guessing.

My personal opinion is that the Red Broiler would easily win, regardless of what age you butchered them. The age you butcher could have an effect, I'd think you would butcher the broilers earlier than the New Hampshire. I think you would be pretty disappointed if you butcher the New Hampshire very young, not a lot of meat.

Not all breeders are the same. Some breed for show. Some might be breeding to make a good meat bird. Some might be breeding for something else. Different breeders have different abilities also. If they are breeding for show you will probably wind up with a really nice size bird but they are not necessarily being bred to put that weight on early. A good meat bird has a good feed to meat conversion rate. That helps two ways. You have more options of how you cook them because you can butcher them younger and you don't have to pay as much for feed.

I think the red broilers have three clear advantages. You should be able to butcher them younger so you have more options on how to cook them, you should get more meat overall at any age, and your feed costs should be lower. But until you see for yourself there may always be a question in your mind.

 

[Chickenheadmate]

If I stick to broiler, would I be taking a few steps back by breeding it to any Dual purpose breed chicken breed?
Like Lf Cornish, New Hamp or any giants for example?
We mostly like breast meat at home and would like to get as much as possible. But wouldn't want to do CX.
i would consider crossing it with something else though, incase you guys had any suggestions.

 

[Ridgerunner]

If you like breast meat go with the LF Cornish. Breast meat is why they were part of the parentage of the Cornish X broilers.

You probably will consider it a step back if you cross a red broiler with a LF Cornish, but if you eat the offspring you don't want to eat and breed the ones you would love to eat you can move your flock in the right direction. The first few generations you will probably see quite a bit of variation in the offspring, but the longer you selectively breed they better the overall quality should get. When i tried something similar my goal was not to get the largest chicken I could. My goal was to get the culls to consistently be pretty darn large.

I'd suggest using a LF Cornish rooster over red broiler hens. A red broiler rooster may get too large to breed.

 

[BlackHackle]

If I stick to broiler, would I be taking a few steps back by breeding it to any Dual purpose breed chicken breed?
Like Lf Cornish, New Hamp or any giants for example?
We mostly like breast meat at home and would like to get as much as possible. But wouldn't want to do CX.
i would consider crossing it with something else though, incase you guys had any suggestions.

For heritage breeds the closest would be Chanteclers and Indian Games

 

[Wyorp Rock]

There is an easy way to find out. Get a few of both and see for yourself. That takes away all guessing.

Good idea!
I agree with @Ridgerunner it depends on what the breeder's goals are for the NH. Try a few of both and determine what's right for your situation.

@Chickenheadmate I think you and I discussed the German Line NH a while back, although my goals are very much different than yours, I have been pleased with the 2 pullets I have. I am going to say they will fill out to be what I call a medium size bird. They both have started laying at 24wks and probably weigh in at over 4lbs, I expect them to get close to 5-5 1/2 as they mature more. BUT...I do believe the breeder I got mine from is breeding more toward egg laying and beauty I would eat them for sure, but that's not my goal for these 2 either.

It will be interesting to see what you come up with. But I do agree, if you are looking mainly for meat, then LF Cornish over Red Broiler sounds like a practical solution.

 

[Chickenheadmate]

Beatiful orangy hen!
What made me want the breed, amanzing looking.

Good idea!
I agree with @Ridgerunner it depends on what the breeder's goals are for the NH. Try a few of both and determine what's right for your situation.

@Chickenheadmate I think you and I discussed the German Line NH a while back, although my goals are very much different than yours, I have been pleased with the 2 pullets I have. I am going to say they will fill out to be what I call a medium size bird. They both have started laying at 24wks and probably weigh in at over 4lbs, I expect them to get close to 5-5 1/2 as they mature more. BUT...I do believe the breeder I got mine from is breeding more toward egg laying and beauty I would eat them for sure, but that's not my goal for these 2 either.

It will be interesting to see what you come up with. But I do agree, if you are looking mainly for meat, then LF Cornish over Red Broiler sounds like a practical solution.

View attachment 1526647

 

[Chickenheadmate]

Good idea!
I agree with @Ridgerunner it depends on what the breeder's goals are for the NH. Try a few of both and determine what's right for your situation.

@Chickenheadmate I think you and I discussed the German Line NH a while back, although my goals are very much different than yours, I have been pleased with the 2 pullets I have. I am going to say they will fill out to be what I call a medium size bird. They both have started laying at 24wks and probably weigh in at over 4lbs, I expect them to get close to 5-5 1/2 as they mature more. BUT...I do believe the breeder I got mine from is breeding more toward egg laying and beauty I would eat them for sure, but that's not my goal for these 2 either.

It will be interesting to see what you come up with. But I do agree, if you are looking mainly for meat, then LF Cornish over Red Broiler sounds like a practical solution.

View attachment 1526647

Just curious, as to why you would do Lf Cornish over the broiler and not vice-versa?

 

[Chickenheadmate]

Beatiful orangy hen!
What made me want the breed, amanzing looking.

Will viceversa yield smaller breast?
I notice that when a Lf Cornish is an option in a cross, it's always suggested that the roo be the Cornish.
Is there a particular reason why?

Same thing for the Buckeye roo, when in the equation, it's often suggested that it be the roo..