You have me thinking here--
Perhaps the layering on of fat occurs because of the slowing of the growth ( bone and muscle) so more fat is made from the extra calories.
Or, high percent of fat intake in the diet, which in theory makes an artifical enviroment of the body thinking that it has reached a mature point.
In sheep, sexual maturity is usually hit at 100#, regardless of the breed.
Not quite... quite the avid sheep person here- and my ewe lambs by far won't hit sexual maturity until 150-200 pounds. Matter of fact, most any breed I've ever been involved with is like this. But, we also select for, and breed for later maturity. It is very well desired here.
In humans, we have an obesity problem in our kids that is significant at a very early age. BY 3-5 grade, and as the grades in crease the % that are obese increases. ( Verysad.) Yet our kids are getting taller with each generatation, and sexually maturing at an earlier age too.
Soooo, back to chickens. Perhaps it is the reverse, I'm done growing, put on the fat. Or it is independent . . . ..
I don't think it's reverse, I think it's the same. I'm done growing, time to put on fat. Feed them a higher percent fat diet- and manipulate it. Last year when I butchered roosters-- the farm king DP crap-- were really yellow fat. my half cornish half other- were just beginning to put on fat, and my straight cornish-- were completely lack of fat.
I love this meat project and I love the innovation and creativity.
However my goal was to find a bird that could maximize the land I have and raise meat in an economical fashion because feed prices have doubled in the last few years.
Go for meat rabbits. They are the coolest thing on this place-- and fried rabbits puts the hammer to fried chicken. Space, feed, and labor fall in favor of the rabbit.
If all meat birds ( cornish x, the red laced cornish x, the rangers) all need extra protein to meet the growth mark, I wonder if I am looking at the wrong bird for my goals. I appreciate all this wonderful information as it helps me find my way toward a meat bird suitable for my homestead.
I love that you keep me thinking and thank you for sharing!!!!!