What breeds are besst for meat?

[bizzeeb60]

We are thinking of getting some chicks strickly to raise for meat but are not real sure which bread is best for this. I have read a little and have heard that Cornish Rocks, and Black/Red Broilers are the best.

Any opinions or suggestions on this?

 

[brooster]

you have to go with a cornish cross. Anything else grows too slow and wastes more feed. I use McMurray cornish roasters, but you can get them anywhere. I tried the super jumbo ones, and they had lots of leg issues, but i tried the ones that the leg problems have been bred out, and i won reserve campion at my fair. Get a cheap turkey starter, and fryers are ready in 6 weeks, roasters are ready when ever you decide they are big eunough, i go 12 weeks. Keep them on a little grass, and they are the best tasting chicken!

 

[Break an Egg]

depending on how much land you have, you can order all males and let them free range for a few months and just start having them for dinner a couple at a time. Male chicks come pretty cheap.

 

[Wolf-Kim]

Depends.

How do you plan on keeping them? Free-ranging or in a pen?

What time of year? Cornish Crosses do not do well in heat.

-Kim

 

[bizzeeb60]

Due to the amount of predators (hawks, owls, bobcats, coyotes) we have to keep them in a pen. Since I live in Florida, it is hot for most of the year, we do not get any cool temps until February/March in my area.

 

[brooster]

I have mine in an 8 by 8 coop with a run. it has been hot and humid, and they have been ok. I have one big fan and one small fan in the coop, and put sections of plywood up for shade (they get morning and evening sun, so i move the boards) I used this plan http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Building+a+Pasture+Shelter.html i used the tarp roof and i put plywwod on half the floor and kennel flooring on the other half. Just to give you on idea how mine are housed. Hope this helps

 

[willheveland]

Quote:
You can do a search,there is plenty on this.If you ask this question to 5 people you will probably get 5 different answers.Each breed kinda suits people different.
If I were you I'd try a handful of each the first year to see what you like the best,then choose what works for you for the future batches. good luck and welcome. Will