I've got my first flock going now, after some initial troubles. Expecting eggs in the near future, and I'm enjoying having chickens very much!
That said, I got most of my birds from a hatchery. I want birds for eggs and meat. I've read many posts about how Buff Orps, Barred Rocks, and other dual purpose breeds available today are inferior to those that were available between 1910 and 1950 or so. I've also seen various reasons for this... inattention to their meat/egg producing qualities, more emphasis on color and showy traits, etc.
What I'm wondering is... is there anybody out there with some Buff Orps and Barred Rocks that produce meat better, and somewhat faster, than the common hatchery stock? Is anybody out there breeding and selecting for these qualities.... and getting results like the ALBC did with their Buckeye experiment?
If so, I'm interested in buying a roo, some chicks, or some hatching eggs from such an individual. I'm also interested in just knowing what other ppl are doing along these lines, and what results they're getting.
Anybody?
That said, I got most of my birds from a hatchery. I want birds for eggs and meat. I've read many posts about how Buff Orps, Barred Rocks, and other dual purpose breeds available today are inferior to those that were available between 1910 and 1950 or so. I've also seen various reasons for this... inattention to their meat/egg producing qualities, more emphasis on color and showy traits, etc.
What I'm wondering is... is there anybody out there with some Buff Orps and Barred Rocks that produce meat better, and somewhat faster, than the common hatchery stock? Is anybody out there breeding and selecting for these qualities.... and getting results like the ALBC did with their Buckeye experiment?
If so, I'm interested in buying a roo, some chicks, or some hatching eggs from such an individual. I'm also interested in just knowing what other ppl are doing along these lines, and what results they're getting.
Anybody?