What do yall think of this mix?

[FrankHomestead]

I think you should start with one breed, straight run and butcher the male culls to see if you like layer breed chicken meat. Many have the ambition for what you're talking about only to find out latter they don't like the leggier, smaller and if left to grow to roasting size tougher meat of layer birds. Personally I don't see any advantage to the Jersey Giant in a meat bird, don't let the final weight of an adult bird persuade you to use it for a meat project. If you want broilers, tender meat, you'll be butchering your cockerels at 14 weeks of age. Waiting longer than that makes them fryers and then roasters. As in a 20 week old bird and older can not be fried or broiled, the meat would be too tough, it can only be roasted or stewed.

There is a lot to be said for chicken feed. You'll have a hard time matching the nutritional value that is only pennies a pound to purchase if you grow your own feed. In all honesty it's not practical to grow your own.

As for broody birds. If you start with breeder stock the chances are high you'll have broody birds to perpetuate the flock. Hatchery birds and breeder stock are very different. Hatchery birds lay more and are less prone to brood, they typically are smaller birds too. My advice is to pick a breed, acquire breeder stock and cull the smallest cockerels at 14 weeks to find if you like the meat. Many find they can't get away from the larger breasted and more tender meat birds. They are more tender as they are butchered at a younger age. CornishX are butchered anywhere from 6 to 10 weeks of age. The proportion of breast to leg is substantially more with double thick breasts.

Good luck.

Appreciate your feedback! honestly I've never tried a heritage bird before but dying to! so maybe your idea is best to just pick a breed straight run and try it out, rather than investing in a whole operation from jump!

 

[FrankHomestead]

I've owned JGs for a while now and they're personally my favorite breed so far. One of our JGs decided to go broody so we let her and ended up with a chick named bertha, She is only 3 months old but is growing FAST! We've been thinking about making some more of her for a meat bird. She's a JG x LB (Light brahma) And shes already as big as our laying Easter eggers and just a bit smaller then our Light brahma hens which i thought was amazing! Shes the biggest in her clutch too including two others that are just a week older then . Though we might do some more crossing with some other breeds that grow faster since JGs are very slow when it comes to growing and fattening up.

That's a smart idea, maybe I should choose a faster growing bird than the bo to breed with!

 

[FrankHomestead]

@Egghead_Jr gave you TONS of good advice.

Rather than repeat all of it, I will just mention that you are planning to do a LOT of new things - raise chickens; grow, grind & formulate feed; butchering; crossbreeding; and so on. I suggest you start a little simpler, you are far more likely to be successful and enjoy your project. There are many more areas you can branch into as the years go by!

I would suggest choosing one breed that you like. Many heritage dual-purpose breeds are available, all would be excellent for your purposes. If you like Orpingtons, go with them. Jersey Giant do get huge, but you are going to spend a lot on feed, even if you grow it yourself. The Freedom Rangers etc. that @SunHwaKwon linked also would be excellent, although maybe not so good if you intend to keep and breed (they are crosses of various dual-purpose breeds).

You're right. baby steps...much more enjoyable and not overwhelming!

 

[FrankHomestead]

You guys all have such great advice and make me think of things I hadn't thought of yet...thank you all for taking the time to give me golden advice!! I'm going to need to rethink this now lol but that's OK I have plenty of time! I just like to plan and be prepared!

 

[SunHwaKwon]

To answer your question, I just have them because I like them! They are a bit of work, but not much, and I enjoy watching them, especially the broodies raising their babies, and they look pretty when they are out free ranging lol. They also have done a lot for keeping the tick population under control. It was unbearable when we first bought our house. I started with guineas and ended up with some chickens by chance and I am slowly letting my guinea flock dwindle down to nothing. I would like to eat my male guineas but by now they are probably as tough as an old shoe and probably taste like a-holes because that's what they act like.

 

[FrankHomestead]

To answer your question, I just have them because I like them! They are a bit of work, but not much, and I enjoy watching them, especially the broodies raising their babies, and they look pretty when they are out free ranging lol. They also have done a lot for keeping the tick population under control. It was unbearable when we first bought our house. I started with guineas and ended up with some chickens by chance and I am slowly letting my guinea flock dwindle down to nothing. I would like to eat my male guineas but by now they are probably as tough as an old shoe and probably taste like a-holes because that's what they act like.

 

[BlueShadow]

I would like to eat my male guineas but by now they are probably as tough as an old shoe and probably taste like a-holes because that's what they act like.

Yes, that is what guineas act like, but they are yummy. I actually was saying just this afternoon that I think I will butcher a few of the male guineas this winter. They should make some DELICIOUS stock! But yeah, meat is probably tough, the way they run around.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Yes, that is what guineas act like, but they are yummy. I actually was saying just this afternoon that I think I will butcher a few of the male guineas this winter. They should make some DELICIOUS stock! But yeah, meat is probably tough, the way they run around.

I may do it, then. I don't think I can do the slaughtering part on those guys, partly because they are hard to hold still for anything minor let alone to chop their heads off like I do the chickens. My husband has already said multiple times he would be more than happy to shoot them in the face, though. lol

 

[FrankHomestead]

I may do it, then. I don't think I can do the slaughtering part on those guys, partly because they are hard to hold still for anything minor let alone to chop their heads off like I do the chickens. My husband has already said multiple times he would be more than happy to shoot them in the face, though. lol

OMG! lol

 

[FrankHomestead]

I was reading a lot on light Sussex last night. what do you guys think of those? Problem is they aren't broody. so maybe cross them with a broody like bo or Cochin? Another problem is the roosters are so gorgeous my husband prob would fight me on butchering