Which breeds of Roosters to put over DP hens to make a good meat chicken?

[MarineCorpFarmr]

Jersey Giants come in white. they grow rather slow but overall size and meat quality is up there.

 

[Wax Myrtle]

Meyer Hatchery has white Marans. I think they're only available in an assortment, so it would be a gamble if you got any at all. If you can order them when they're hatching, that is.

 

[kfacres]

instead of scratching the entire breed-- why don't you just scratch off the entire hatchery sourced birds... and locate some good breeder birds, froma good quality standpoint.

I don't care what you have, they'll be better... heck, I'd be willing to bet a breeder Silkie or leghorn, will have more meat on it's bones than a hatchery rock, wyandotte, orpington, or n. hampshire... or really anything from a hatchery.

 

[debir1966]

I know of a couple different breeders in my area - I will get ahold of them and see what they have.

 

[yinepu]

instead of scratching the entire breed-- why don't you just scratch off the entire hatchery sourced birds... and locate some good breeder birds, froma good quality standpoint.

I don't care what you have, they'll be better... heck, I'd be willing to bet a breeder Silkie or leghorn, will have more meat on it's bones than a hatchery rock, wyandotte, orpington, or n. hampshire... or really anything from a hatchery.

the bolded part is the hardest part.. there are a lot of people out there selling "heritage" birds that are shabbier than good looking hatchery stock... I ended up with a few "heritage" Delawares that were skinnier and overall wimpier birds compared to some I got from a hatchery..
As a rule heritage birds will be meatier.. but that's not always the case. So be careful when selecting a breeder and make sure they really have what they claim to be selling

 

[milleryardchx]

Delaware roosters are big meaty and are the heirloom meat bird. i have delaware over white rock hens for meat birds

 

[kingsfarm]

Beautiful huge Bufforpington rooster...very large breast...gentle.... I have a young buff orp/white isa mix roo am anxious to see chicks....have a barred rock/buff orp mix roo... going to be interesting in the hen yard.... honestly they are beautiful won't know till eggs hatch from yard mix of hens (RIR-BO-Barred rock-BSL-Game hen (broodies)-isa browns interesting

 

[debir1966]

Looks like I have a variety of choices, thank you everyone for your responces! I prefer a large, faster-growing roo. I have a mixed flock of hens, most are dual-purpose (some are not, the ones I got for my kids for 4H or as ornamentals). There are a few breeders in the area that I know about and I will definitely be checking in with them this coming spring to see what they have.
I do not know anything about chicken color genetics, but hoping a white (ish) roo will help produce lighter chicks even with colored hens. We raised a few black broilers this year and I have decided the lighter the feathers the better! LOL

 

[ChickenFootRnch]

I'm not a Chicken genetic specialist so I will speak from experience. I tried the Cornish crosses and was dissapointed with the health problems they have. However, they are the industry standard and no other bird will put on weight as fast, to fast in my opinion. I have also played with breeding and found that Maran crosses do put on weight well, although the biggest birds I have ever raised were the Jersey Giants. Very harty, very large, very slow growing slaughter weight at around 5 months. If you are going to experment, the Jersey Giant may also be one to try. Cochins are huge birds as well and hens are very broody and will sit on anything to hatch it. I plan on trying severl crosses this spring as well just for fun. I need to post some of my "mutts" pics. Hope this helps and dosent add more information overload.

 

[MarineCorpFarmr]

I'm not a Chicken genetic specialist so I will speak from experience. I tried the Cornish crosses and was dissapointed with the health problems they have. However, they are the industry standard and no other bird will put on weight as fast, to fast in my opinion. I have also played with breeding and found that Maran crosses do put on weight well, although the biggest birds I have ever raised were the Jersey Giants. Very harty, very large, very slow growing slaughter weight at around 5 months. If you are going to experment, the Jersey Giant may also be one to try. Cochins are huge birds as well and hens are very broody and will sit on anything to hatch it. I plan on trying severl crosses this spring as well just for fun. I need to post some of my "mutts" pics. Hope this helps and dosent add more information overload.

Most of my next two hatches will be assorted mutts. ~150 eggs set 100+ are mutts. lol

Last good hatch pics of the mutts