What breeds for meat and why

[Rebechenson75]

I want to produce birds for meat. I have done some research on cornish crosses but don't know where to get the hens for breeding with a white rock.

As an alternative I an considering dual purpose breeds for meat production. I'm not sure which breeds would be quicker to grow. I know that Brahmas, Marans and Wynadottes are slower growing and would probably not be the best choice.

What suggestions do any of you have and why?

 

[WingItRanch]

My buddy in Arizona just started breeding American Bresse. They're expensive but supposedly have the best tasting meat. They also are not as unhealthy as some of the typical meat chickens (heart problems from massive weight gain) so would be easier to breed and keep to adulthood. You could also sell fertilized eggs.

 

[Rebechenson75]

My buddy in Arizona just started breeding American Bresse. They're expensive but supposedly have the best tasting meat. They also are not as unhealthy as some of the typical meat chickens (heart problems from massive weight gain) so would be easier to breed and keep to adulthood. You could also sell fertilized eggs.

This looks like the happy medium I'm looking for. They aren't all that expensive. I found deathlayers. They are 15 per egg or 25 for unsexed.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

What suggestions do any of you have and why?

Beilefelder.. because they're autosexing at hatch and males produced an average 4# carcass at 16 weeks.. using a 20% protein feed, in my experience. Also they're demeanor was decent.. not too rowdy at too early of an age.

Their laying was later than desired for myself.. but you state you're aiming for meat birds and could possibly easily sell off pullets at hatch, covering more of your cost.. noting the girls were also likely hefty enough for processing/harvest.. but it's too easy to sell them in my location making them more worth selling than harvesting.

The lower rowdiness mentioned resulted in no problems with overbreeding even when keeping 2 cockerels to 3 pullet ratio.. which *may* have resulted in lower fertility rates long term.. I cannot attest to that.

They're available at very reasonable prices at some of the hatcheries.

 

[Rebechenson75]

Beilefelder.. because they're autosexing at hatch and males produced an average 4# carcass at 16 weeks.. using a 20% protein feed, in my experience. Also they're demeanor was decent.. not too rowdy at too early of an age.

Their laying was later than desired for myself.. but you state you're aiming for meat birds and could possibly easily sell off pullets at hatch, covering more of your cost.. noting the girls were also likely hefty enough for processing/harvest.. but it's too easy to sell them in my location making them more worth selling than harvesting.

The lower rowdiness mentioned resulted in no problems with overbreeding even when keeping 2 cockerels to 3 pullet ratio.. which *may* have resulted in lower fertility rates long term.. I cannot attest to that.

They're available at very reasonable prices at some of the hatcheries.

I would consider that possibility. I do want a few more hens but selling excess might be lucrative.

 

[AinaWGSD]

Following this thread to see what kind of suggestions you get. We raised buckeyes a few years ago and were pretty happy with them as a dual purpose bird. We're planning on getting back into them this next year, but I'm also considering other breeds with an eye towards meat production as well.

The thing to keep in mind with dual purpose or heritage meat breeds is that you won't get a carcass like the chicken you buy in the stores. Even at 16 weeks, and even if you put a white rock rooster over LF cornish hens, they're going to have skinny breasts by comparison to commercial broilers.

 

[Rebechenson75]

I've been looking at various breeds. I don't expect the same as what is sold in stores. I simply wNt birds that grow a bit faster and that i can breed. I prefer not to have to buy stock every time I need to do some butchering.

 

[No Coop No Problem]

I think the ideal meat bird would be a RIR / Brahma mix. I would never raise pure meat breeds because they're incapable of sustaining their own population and incapable of genuine free-ranging (ie feeding themselves). I had Cornish cross once and they were basically completely retarded, laid on the ground by the feeder and would lay in the mud during the rain. Zero survival instincts. They're just insentient meat goblins

My buddy in Arizona just started breeding American Bresse. They're expensive but supposedly have the best tasting meat. They also are not as unhealthy as some of the typical meat chickens (heart problems from massive weight gain) so would be easier to breed and keep to adulthood. You could also sell fertilized eggs.

Bresse taste different because they're raised in small cages that inhibit movement and they're fed extremely fancy diets. Bresse meat is made by the same people that invented foie gras

Any chicken raised in the torturous manner of the Bresse would taste the same

 

[WingItRanch]

I think the ideal meat bird would be a RIR / Brahma mix. I would never raise pure meat breeds because they're incapable of sustaining their own population and incapable of genuine free-ranging (ie feeding themselves). I had Cornish cross once and they were basically completely retarded, laid on the ground by the feeder and would lay in the mud during the rain. Zero survival instincts. They're just insentient meat goblins


Bresse taste different because they're raised in small cages that inhibit movement and they're fed extremely fancy diets. Bresse meat is made by the same people that invented foie gras

Any chicken raised in the torturous manner of the Bresse would taste the same

That's the French Bresse, I believe. The American Bresse can be raised on regular high protein feed and don't have to be kept in those conditions to taste good. My buddy cooked me up some and it was the best chicken I've ever had. He does not inhibit their movement. Raises them just like he does his other breeds.

 

[CrazyChickenLady123]

I want to produce birds for meat. I have done some research on cornish crosses but don't know where to get the hens for breeding with a white rock.

As an alternative I an considering dual purpose breeds for meat production. I'm not sure which breeds would be quicker to grow. I know that Brahmas, Marans and Wynadottes are slower growing and would probably not be the best choice.

What suggestions do any of you have and why?

You could also try leghorns. They lay huge eggs and they have good meat too.