White Giants? for meat birds anyone?

[milleryardchx]

Im looking for a breed to use for meat chicken but Im not too keen on cornish-x or freedom rangers from what I have read. I want a breed that I can keep a few hens and one rooster to have my own supply of meat birds every year. I was looking through the site here and googling but I came across the White giant from Murray hatchery.. http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/white_giants.html its from the Jersey black giant. You think if I feed the butcher ones high protien feed that they would be ready by 11 weeks or need to wait till 15 weeks or would they not taste good by that age.... (first time for doing meat birds)

 

[Cowgirl71]

Jersey Giants are very large birds, but they grow their skeleton first (and this is true with other large breeds as well, such as Brahmas). By the time they're filled out with meat, they're about 8 months old, and if a rooster, too tough and strong-tasting to enjoy eating at that age.

White Rocks are the best alternative to the Cornish X: http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/white_rocks.html

They are white with yellow skin, large and plump, and the hens are great layers too. The males can be butchered at 16-24 weeks of age. Other pluses of White Rocks over Cornish X are that they can reproduce naturally, and can free-range quite a bit, making a healthier meat and a lower feed bill.

 

[punky rooster]

I think Delawares are a better choice for broilers than white rocks, after all that was their original purpose. You can butcher them at 12 weeks, Also, I have heard they are good layers. This is a great place to get them, he breeds them to be good briolers and layers. http://www.whitmorefarm.com/store/212
I agree with Cowgirl71 said with Giants, and they are a better capon breed.

 

[Cowgirl71]

Yes, Delawares can be better if you get them from a breeder, like Whitemore farm. But, if you're ordering from a hatchery, White Rocks are the better choice.

 

[punky rooster]

Quote:
For some cases yes, in others no. "

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[milleryardchx]

I was thinking about delaware chickens before, but i was just wondering about the white giants for thought. I had a few delaware from hatching eggs from someone on here before and the hens were huge! (had o roosters) I just heard they don't have much breast meat. But I will most likely go with that breed... I just wish I could find the breeder I got the eggs from before.

 

[Cowgirl71]

Quote:
If they're being compared to Cornish X, then no, they don't have a lot of breast meat. I would *think* that White Rocks have more breast meat. From pictures I've seen they just seem like a more rounded bird. BTW, IF you were to go the hatchery White Rock route, Mt Healthy has an excellent strain. They're nice an' big an' plump.