what is your favorite dual purpose bird

[Mrs. Feathers]

I have Black Australorps and this time am trying some BA/Ameraucana EE`s a couple of those ones are really small so I am hoping they will beef up a bit over the next three weeks.
Our BA`s were very nummy and we have lots of rocks for climbing in our run so they have very nice legs and thighs. Have to get them a little bench press to work on developing their breasts.

 

[ericsplls]

If you got your delewares from a hatchery you will probably be dissapointed. I'm looking for some good ones but have yet to find a breeder that tracks weight gain from hatch to 18 weeks and breed to improve meat production. It's been about 70 years since delewares have been used in broiler operations.

 

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

Quote:
I'm following the ALBC method of flock improvement used with the Buckeyes on my Dels at the moment. Luckily, my biggest 4 month old Roo is also the nicest otherwise. I will try tracking weight gain with my hatches next spring. I'm also considering ordering some Sandhill Dels (Where BirdBrain got hers) and will compare and contrast. It sounds like theirs may mature earlier than the lines I have now, since my 4 +/- month old roos are not in the least interested in the girls, and hers is showing interest. Haven't been able to do other size comparison, yet.

Anyway, maybe try Buckeyes or Barred Rocks.

 

[tnchickenut]

Delawares, DUHHHHHH (lol)

Followed closely by Barnevelders.

There isn't a better DP breed than a Del... why do you even ask?

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Quote:
From what I have been told there are two varieties of Light Sussex. Down under (Austrailia) they are raised for meat birds and are bred more for meat. Our LS are a mix of Bradshaw, Dingle and Grisham lines and while they are huge birds they are slow to grow/fill out.

Steve

 

[Jared77]

http://www.whitmorefarm.com/content/5089

These guys are making culls at 14 weeks. Might be worth looking into

Barnevelders? Seriously?

 

[bigredfeather]

Quote:
The roos are actually pretty nice at 18 weeks. I have butchered quite a few the past 3 years. Pullets, not so much, pretty small.

 

[DIYSeattle]

I guess the nice thing about dual purpose birds is that one way or the other you learn something, and have eggs or meat sooner or later. The sooner the better but you win some and you lose some.

Is it possibel too that today people arent as quickl to cull birds that dont grow as fast as they might have back before the 50s? It seems that since the 50s many people arent as quick to cull and trapnest as they once were. I was talking with someone else about this, but I guess its like working dogs and the AKC too though.

 

[Jared77]

I guess the nice thing about dual purpose birds is that one way or the other you learn something, and have eggs or meat sooner or later. The sooner the better but you win some and you lose some.

Is it possibel too that today people arent as quickl to cull birds that dont grow as fast as they might have back before the 50s? It seems that since the 50s many people arent as quick to cull and trapnest as they once were. I was talking with someone else about this, but I guess its like working dogs and the AKC too though.

I think this has everything to do with it. Why have DP birds when we've got the CX, FRs, and KK, and other assorted breeds that are fast and furious from feed to the freezer? Its pretty much standard practice to have a tractor of meat birds and a flock of layers. People are not culling for rate of growth like they did because the demand isn't there. 8 weeks, 12 weeks bingo bango freezers full and I'm done. Right? My big issue is if I'm going to feed birds all winter long (a layer flocks gotta eat) then they'd better give me some chicks worth raising to send to the freezer the following fall in addition to the year round eggs. I still have to order meat chicks and they still have to eat. Yes it might be less food consumed but at the cost per bird plus shipping, its not far off from the cost of additional feed for the DPs. Mind you this is for my own families consumption too. Just my thoughts on this.​

 

[DIYSeattle]

Thats about what I was thinking Jared. Also what about quality and taste? Of course the fast growing chicks eat less food but what about their quality of life and the flavor? If they grow fast but are bland and flavorless and dont get around well does that take anything into consideration?