Sustainable Meat / Standard Bred Dual Purpose Bird Thread.

[hellbender]

Where do you get these bands?

We got ours from Linda...lpatelski send her a pm.

 

[cyborg]

Lurker alert!

I'd like to introduce myself to those who don't already know me. I originally started out with hatchery Jersey Giants for meat production, but was soon disillusioned with the hatchery stock as far as size went. Then, I got sidetracked with egg production, and added more breeds more known for eggs than meat. Currently, in my flock, I have Jersey Giants, barred Rocks, gold sex links, California Whites black & blue Ameraucanas, black copper Marans, partridge Cochin's, and recently added a batch of Cornish X for meat birds. And 1 New Hampshire rooster that was a result of a trade deal.
My egg production now is fantastic, but I want to re-focus on meat production now, and am contemplating adding some dark Cornish to the flock, and breeding up my Jerseys to what they should be, and learning to caponize the roos.
Anyway, I found this thread, and would like to hang out here to pick your brains!

 

[lpatelski]

Where do you get these bands?

I call them ZipChick ID. You can order the from me just pm me for the price.

 

[Dave C]

Interesting project, I will be watching with interest

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I just hatched the first batch of my meat bird expiriment. The first crosses are a Dark Cornish Roo over Red Ranger, Pioneer, and Delaware hens. Had a great hatch and will be taking performance data starting tomorrow. My plan is to take #1 male crossed with #1 female. We shall see!

Inquiring minds want to know (focus of the thread)- How's the performance on these a month from hatch?

My money is on the Cornish over Ranger birds.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I''m off to a horribly late start. Laying issues then fertility issues and finally have eggs in the bator for fair sample size. Chomping at the bit for some data on the projects posted earlier. There's some promising projects.

@lpatelski How are the F2 birds coming from the CronishX grand dam?

 

[lpatelski]

F2 results:



#1-cockerel DOH 2/4/16 by Redmen(50%DC/50%WCR) x Lavenia (50%dc/50%wcr) Live weight @ 73 days (10.4 weeks) 5 lbs 3.5oz processed weight(skinned) 3 lbs 8oz. (66.2% dress)


#20 cockerel DOH 2/22/16 3/4 WCR 1/4 DC by Bob(50%DC/50%WCR) x Betty WCR
live weight 4 lbs 15.2oz @ 55 days(8 weeks) / dressed(skinned) weight 3 lbs 2 oz.(63.1% dress)


#25 cockerel DOH 2/28/16 by Redmen(50%DC/50%WCR) x Lavenia (50%dc/50%wcr)
Live weight 3 lbs 2.8oz @ 49 days(7 weeks) dressed weight(skinned) 2 lbs 1.5oz(65.9% dress)


#39 cockerel DOH 3/5/16 - 3/4 WCR 1/4 DC by Bob(50%DC/50%WCR) x Betty WCR
Live weight 3 lbs 13.8 oz / dressed weight(skinned) 2 lbs 8oz(64.2% dress)

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Did you keep any of the 3/4 CronishX to try and get to breeding age or do you think the cockerels with that growth rate wont live that long?

 

[lpatelski]

Did you keep any of the 3/4 CronishX to try and get to breeding age or do you think the cockerels with that growth rate wont live that long?

Keeping one 3/4 Dark Cornish pullet as long as she is better than what I have. Keeping one 3/4 WCR pullet or cockerel with the same culling. It must be better than what i have now. Selecting for #1 frame, #2 muscle, #3 Correct growth pattern, #4 What did parent stock accomplish(early maturity, egg size, egg survivability / hatch-ability), #5 Temperament.

 

[chickenmanIL89]

Egghead, i havent quite figured out how to posts pics, 1st hatch is doing great at