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I would never ever go with Cornish X's, no matter how bad I want instant meat. . .
There are some new "freedom rangers" out now. I have no clue if they're considered dual purpose or strictly meat birds, but they're coming to be very popular. They're a healthy alternative that is self sustainable.
At our place, we're working on a bird that reaches a decent weight, but huge, but good weight and good meat at 4-5 months. That's why we're doing the Shamo x Marans, and possibly going to add some Araucana in there too. They'll end up looking a lot like really big Cornish birds. (real cornish, not Cornish X's)
I'm a patient person though. I'll wait 5 months for my meat birds, especially if the females sell well. That's why I'm aiming for certain parents in my Olive Eggers, because I want a perfect dual purpose of them in that the pullets are great layers of beautiful eggs, the cockerels are really meaty at a good 5 months. The Araucana I'm using is a very "chesty" bird and so far proving his worth in the Olive Egger project. My OE's from him are twice the size as my Easter Eggers, and at the same age. I love using Araucanas for meat though. . . The lack of tail adds to the breast, and also puts more ease in processing. Plus the yellow skin makes them look sooo tasty.
(real) Cornish from show quality lines are really good. They're not dual purpose, in fact they don't lay very much, but they're an old breed with a LOT of meat and decent growth rate.
Chickielady - I don't read a lot, but when I get a chance to, I'll always have my nose in some non-fiction. I really don't care for fiction/novels though. But science books and the sort. . . Wish I had more than I do. Too bad they're so expensive to buy and there's so few or I've already read all of the ones in the library.
