What are the Best meat chickens that breed true?

[JoAnn_WI_4-H_Mom]

On Buckeyes, I think the the lady wrote that there was some English Game in the mix, and it has been guessed by others the the Game she used had more than a little Cornish in it.

I believe I will be trying some Buckeyes this spring as well.

 

[bigredfeather]

Quote:
They should do very well in your climate. They are great in cold temps.

 

[bigredfeather]

Quote:
I did some deeper research. I found an article that said she did infact use the Dark Cornish and some sort of game fowl in addition to the others I listed in creating the Buckeye. That's why they have such a meaty breast.

Thanks for making me do more research. It has been driving me crazy since you posted this comment. Now we know.

 

[Brunty_Farms]

No cornish were used... not even Dark Cornish. I would believe these guys over any other article as they actually do genetic testing to see exactly what is in the lines. Plus any white cornish that were used would result in white offspring... not dark red.

Here is the link...

http://www.albc-usa.org/cpl/buckeye.html

 

[Buster52]

Quote:
Where does it say anything about genetic testing in that article? I love the ALBC, but I have encountered a couple of factual errors in their breed descriptions. It appears to me they are just passing on the story that was given to them.

Sorry. I still don't buy the notion that the Buckeye doesn't have Cornish blood.

 

[Brunty_Farms]

If you talk to them they will tell you that they test the genetics on various breeds of animals.

Just because a bird has wide breast doesn't mean cornish is involved with the breeding. Frankly if you put the two birds breast meat together there is a huge difference in size.

 

[Buster52]

I'm sorry. I put my last post too strongly. I should have said, I am skeptical about the lack of Cornish in the Buckeye genetics. Until I see a published scientific report indicating the lack of it in the bloodline, I shall remain skeptical. Personally, I think the lady denied it because of the (unfounded in my view) pugnacious reputation of the Cornish at the time of her work.

YMMV

 

[Brunty_Farms]

I see where your coming from... but in defense of her... once you would breed the cornish in.. it would be very hard to breed the white back out.

 

[Ibicella]

I have something of a side question...I see you guys talking about breast meat size, but I honestly hate white meat. Are there any chickens that have a reputation for having thunder thighs, or is breast meat size going to be an indicator of the amount of meat all over the body?

 

[petrelline]

Quote:
You want the traditional dual-purpose breeds, the orpingtons and the rocks. The orps in particular will have huge legs and thighs and narrower breasts.

The DP breeds will take a long time to grow (12 weeks plus, more like 18-24 to get really big), but they're heavy on the dark meat and they're tasty as all getout.