Trying to figure out what cross of breeds for my own meat birds

[milleryardchx]

I have been reading a bit and the Delaware used to be the meat bird of choice. Has anyone put a Delaware roo over cornish hens or would you do a white rock over cornish hens? I had a delaware rooster a few years back and he was huge!

At the end of the day I want a sustainable flock of birds that I take the eggs when I want meat birds throw them in the incubator at 21 days later I have a new meat flock for the season. And quite a few people in my area I know what the same thing so fertile eggs or chicks would sell fast.

 

[Buster52]

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Yes, and the other way around. I have some of their offspring in my yard now. They are nice, but not what I was looking for.

 

[milleryardchx]

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Yes, and the other way around. I have some of their offspring in my yard now. They are nice, but not what I was looking for.

Since you seem to know a bit about crossing and making your own meat bird would you go with a White rock with cornish than the delaware with cornish?

And is there any difference except just color between Dark, buff, and white/red cornish? beause Im thinking for the hens using buff or white/red cornish since I can't find just white cornish. I messaged Al but never heard back from him about getting chicks or hatching eggs of his standard white cornish.

 

[homesteadapps]

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I think a lot of this then, as now, had to do with who was talking about the birds.

Old standards like the White Rock , Barred, etc for dual purpose are also a good choice. If you get a good strain there can be nice dressed birds in about 5 months, or less if you want a smaller bird. We have been working with buckeyes and I am amazed at the growth this strain of buckeye has. The young roos are dressing out around 4 lbs in 20 weeks. Nice breasts too. The breasts aren't as think as a Cornish X but they are around 1.25 to 1.5 inches thick

 

[speedy2020]

Have any tried white cornish with orpington?

 

[rarely bored]

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Was wondering this same thing myself. In my little flock, I'm seeing the postive results of hybrid vigor and wonder if that may be something to pursue, instead of line breeding. I really like the look and behaviour of the the orpington, yet want nice meatie offspring that lay eggs at a reasonable age.

 

[Cowgirl71]

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If you're getting them from a hatchery, then the solid whites will be way bigger and meatier than the other colors. If you're getting them from a breeder... I don't know.

 

[milleryardchx]

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If you're getting them from a hatchery, then the solid whites will be way bigger and meatier than the other colors. If you're getting them from a breeder... I don't know.

Im trying to avoid the cornish-x as much as I can, they work great for one time run Im looking to make a mix for my family to have a functioning breeding pen that all chicks from can be butchered and I don't think it would be fair to try and keep cornish-x alive long enough to breed them.