Red Laced Cornish X and project talk (pics p. 8)

[KatyTheChickenLady]

looking good MM!
thanks steve, Pete does have amazing breasts

 

[MMPoultryFarms]

Katy heres the Buckeye in the project he is 12 pounds atm and Still very young. Just over a year old. I put an egg crate by hime for some comparison in his actual size.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

gorgeous!!!
love your Gibran quote too

 

[MMPoultryFarms]

I also realised I only showed the bottom half of the CxR x PWR hen Forgive me as I know her shanks are smaller. Thats why I am backing up the breed with my Cornish to develop those sturdy shanks to support the weight.

This girl has exeeded her time on the farm though. I am dedicated to making this meat bird and I have hatched her offspring. But what ever happened in the PWR cross and the CxR cross really made her grow. She looks old to me shes not. She is however really fat. so fat that even her little feet look swollen but there just fat. So I have decided to Cull her she has done her part and produced offspring and I dont believe in a bird suffering at my experiment. if that makes any sense at all

I will breed the 2nd gen smaller hens to the Buckeye X PWR Larger roo's and hope I can eliminate some fat and more muscle. the Catch here is I am help up now having to wait for a 3rd generation Hen or hens to replace her. *Insert sad face here*

 

[knjinnm]

Quote:
What are you feeding her that is putting on fat instead of meat? Did you breed her to a Buckeye?
great project.

 

[MMPoultryFarms]

Quote:
What are you feed her that is putting on fat instead of meat? Did you breed her to a Buckeye?
great project.

Just feeding layer pellets with some fish meal in it. Yes I did take her over the buckeye I got white chicks with orange Spots on there heads LOL. Think I posted this but heres the offspring

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

MM- I understand completely. What is PWR (sorry if you have told me before but I forget easily).
I cant wait to see your red spots develope!

 

[knjinnm]

Quote:
What are you feed her that is putting on fat instead of meat? Did you breed her to a Buckeye?
great project.

Just feeding layer pellets with some fish meal in it. Yes I did take her over the buckeye I got white chicks with orange Spots on there heads LOL. Think I posted this but heres the offspring https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/61206_meat_birds_002.jpg

OK, I didn't pickup on the hen in the picture produced the orange headed chick. It is odd that a PWR (pure white rock?) bred back to a CxR would produce birds that would put on fat over meat. Do your birds get to free range on greens along with their feed?
One of the problems using CxR, IMO, is that they were developed to grow fast on high protein food much like turkeys. So out crossing to stock not bred to grow on high protein foods could lead to more fat than meat. I think I've heard this story from my DS/W as to why I weigh more than she feels I should ... or words to that effect.

Great project

 

[MMPoultryFarms]

Quote:
Plymouth White Rock.

 

[MMPoultryFarms]

Quote:
Just feeding layer pellets with some fish meal in it. Yes I did take her over the buckeye I got white chicks with orange Spots on there heads LOL. Think I posted this but heres the offspring https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/61206_meat_birds_002.jpg

OK, I didn't pickup on the hen in the picture produced the orange headed chick. It is odd that a PWR (pure white rock?) bred back to a CxR would produce birds that would put on fat over meat. Do your birds get to free range on greens along with their feed?
One of the problems using CxR, IMO, is that they were developed to grow fast on high protein food much like turkeys. So out crossing to stock not bred to grow on high protein foods could lead to more fat than meat. I think I've heard this story from my DS/W as to why I weigh more than she feels I should ... or words to that effect.

Great project

I dont do anything special for my chickens more then the rest on the farm. Meaning they all get fresh fruit as treats. they all get the same Mixed feed. No one but Grow out chicks are on special high protien diets as of yet. Keep in mind I am still establishing my breeding stock and have at least 3-5 more generations to go. I till each yard and plant grass seed I have a very large garden. Each bird on my farm is allowed to free range yards built for Protection complete with covered yards. However I rotate my birds out each day and let them free range the wheat fields and pastures. I do Offer cut grass clipping very small though. and I offer fresh greens vegs, and dont shoot me but I also spoil every last bird rotten with table scraps. However this particular hen. Just got fat. she was even a fat chick I will dig up some pics of her for you LOL

Edited to say she has wonderful meat on her shes not all fat. She just has more then I want on any bird. But meat is about size, structure, then consistancy, then you can go for color if you want white birds black birds what ever fancies you JMHO