Would love suggestions on dual purpose birds ... Or meat birds!

[Arielle]

Hi all!

I have started doing research on owning chickens. I want to use them for eggs, but meat as well. I don't want to do strictly layers because we don't need that many eggs and from what I have read the meat birds will give us enough eggs to use. I want a breed that is broody, so I don't have to keep buying chicks from the feed store. From what I have read, I like the Plymouth Barred Rocks, New Hampshires, Orpingtons and Faverolles (the roosters are supposed to be the most quiet) and the Delawares.

I plan on using the chickens as dog food for my dogs, as well, so I really would like something that is broody .... Are there meat birds that fit what I am looking for? Also, at the feed store the lady suggested I look into quails and pheasants, but I don't know that they are what I'm looking for ..... Have to look into them more.

All suggestions are greatly appreciated!

(I don't have Internet at home, so I am not able to get down to the library every day, but I will eventually return!!)

Thank you CastleFarmUK! I have been reading through your website.

Thank you Chickenchacha. I have been looking into Orpingtons and Barred Rocks and they seem like they are what we want so far.

Hmm. None of the books I've been reading have mentioned marans .... Will have to look on the Internet for them I guess.

I have hatchery birds-- thin carcasses on the DP for orpington, austrolorp, and all of them. Pretty birds that lay. I have marans-- good layers of very dark eggs, meat carcass is thin. Most though not all stock from the big hatcheries are subpar-- there are exceptions but I have learned to find the small breeders. THe hatchery birds have been selected for a smaller size and good egg laying. NOT for meat.

If you want good carcass traits, for meat, check out Reese POultry and look for the NewHampshires that are bred for meat by a world class breeder of chickens. If you want good carcass buff orpingtons, look for THE dragon lady;

Buckeyes, from breeders, are also on the meaty end of dual purpose. Delawares and New Hampshires from Sand Hill POultry;

Freedom rangers are bred for the meat but are not as fast growing as the cornishX.
Light sussex is another but get it from a breeder.

If you can, which I HIGHLY recommend, find a poultry show in your area; go look at the birds. Understand what a real bird should look like. I"m not saying you should buy, but learn, and you may find a good resource.

If you want good meat from a dual purpose bird you will not get it from what you get at the feed store.

As far as broody--many people get birds that do not go broody as the main source of meat and eggs and use a couple hens from another breed that likes to go broody all the time as the broody hens. All my girls went broody at a young age, about 6 -7 months old; As you said high number of eggs is not an issue, selecting a breed that goes broody often maybe the way to go. Hatchery birds are not selected for broodiness; they are actually selected against broodiness because a broody hen is not cranking out eggs.

Have you thought about when you need your chicks to hatch? WHen you want to harvest them? THe cost of wintering over extra mouths to feed? How many chicks to raise for eating?

 

[1muttsfan]

Good-quality Delawares are probably the best all-around dual purpose breed I have had (notice I said good-quality). The hens lay better than most dual-purpose birds, the eggs are large, and the birds personable. The cockerels gain weight rapidly compared to anything other than a cornish cross and have a nice, meaty carcass. I have also had the hens go broody, and they have been good mothers when allowed chicks.

 

[Arielle]

1mutts-- where did you get your stock? KathyImo and sandHill has good stock to consider.

 

[1muttsfan]

My Sand Hill birds have always been great performers - got some on order for this spring. I'm considering a cross with Cream Legbars to produce sex-link green egg layers.

 

[cjhubbs]

Here is a list of some dual purpose breeds that I found on another thread from a few years ago. It has helped me in my search for the "best fitting" dual purpose breed for my family.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dual Purpose Breeds
Australorp or Black Australorp - Standard: 6.5 lb/2.9 kg in Australia from Orpington stock lay tinted eggs.

Barnevelder - Standard: 6-7 lb/2.7-3.2 kg

*Brahma - Standard: 9 lb/4.1 kg

Buckeye - 6.5 lb/2.9 kg include Cornish, Game, Rock, Cochin and Pea Combed Rhode Island Red.

Chantecler - 6.5 lb/2.9 kg White Chanteclers have Dark Cornish, White Leghorns, White Wyandottes, Rhode Island Reds and White Plymouth Rocks in their heritage. A Partridge variety also exists. Cocks weigh about 8 1/2 pounds and hens 6 1/2.

Delaware - 6.5 lb/2.9 kg crossing Barred Plymouth Rocks and New Hampshires, nearly white, rapid growing, dual purpose fowl developed to figure into broiler crosses, with single comb and brown egg shells.

Dorking - Standard: 6.5 lb/2.2 kg Dorkings were among our most common farm fowl prior to the Civil War. This position was maintained in New York and elsewhere into the 1860s and '70s. In a few localities, they remained a common production fowl well into the early part of the 20th century. Dorkings contributed to the development of many of our modern breeds. Even today, Dorkings retain their historic character, remaining perhaps the best breed for natural production that has ever existed. chicks delicate & slow to mature

Faverolles - Standard: 7.5 lb/3.4 kg the 1850s of composite blood from the Houdon, Brahma, Crêve-Cour, Dorking and common fowl of the area. Some references have been made to the CouCoo and Cochin being used in addition. They make excellent back yard fowl and have a genteel personality. originally known for its table qualities. Density and mass of the bird are what should be looked at.

Holland or American Holland - 6.5 lb/2.9 kg a heavy, dual purpose breed which lays white eggs.

Java - 7.5 lb/3.4 kg a dual purpose fowl with yellow skin and brown eggs.

*Jersey Giant - 10 lb/4.6 kg Giants were bred from crosses of Orpingtons, Javas, and Langshans, Jersey Giants appear in the Standard of Perfection (USA) in two varieties: Black and White. Cocks should weigh 13 pounds and hens 10 pounds. The breed was developed in the 1880s in New Jersey. It carries Java, Brahma and Langshan blood and its skin is yellow. The breeders who created the breed were aiming at a large roasting fowl. As a meat bird in the modern world, however, it is slow-growing and therefore not commercially viable. On the other hand, few poultry sights are as impressive as a flock of Black Jersey Giants on a green lawn. Australorps differ from Black Jersey Giants in that the legs of the Jersey Giant are black (some tending toward willow) and the underparts of the feet are yellow. In Lorps, the legs are black, shading to dark slate in adults, but the underparts of the feet are pinkish white. This works with good show stock, but hatchery stock is more variable and you can't ever be sure unless the birds grow to the size of Giants.

Lamona - 6.5 lb/2.9 kg extinct or verging on extinction; root stock as for the original Lamona: Leghorns, Dorkings and Rocks. a white fowl with red ear lobes, that lays a white shelled egg, the creation of the new Lamona was started in 1912 when the idea was conceived of combining three varieties of fowls to produce a breed having the shape and the market qualities of the Dorking, with a yellow skin, white plumage, and four toes and laying a white egg. A low stationed, close-feathered White Plymouth Rock male was mated to a Silver Gray female; and a Single Comb White Leghorn male, having a rather small, low comb, was mated to a Silver Gray Dorking female.

*Langshan - 7.5 lb/3.4 kg slow to mature; very hardy; cold hardy; general purpose fowl for the production of meat and eggs. Langshans originated in China and are considered one of our oldest breeds. The general shape of the Langshan makes them better suited to roaster and capon use than as fryers. enjoyed considerable popularity in the U.S. during the latter part of the 19th century. Their feet and legs are feathered but not as fully as the Cochins or Brahmas. Long legs and narrow body conformation leave much to be desired as a meat bird by today's standards.
New Hampshire Red - Standard: 6.5 lb/2.9 kg robust; hardy in heat & cold; combs subject to frostbite; very early maturing

*Orpington - Standard: 8 lb/3.6 kg; moderately early maturing; hardy; very cold hardy; good brooder; excellent mother; It was developed from Langshan-Rock-Minorca crosses. Developed as a dual purpose breed, Orpingtons make fair table fowl and are excellent winter layers of large brown eggs. Orpingtons have a deep broad body, the back appearing short with a somewhat concave shape. The head is neat with a single comb. Dark colours have dark eyes and legs, paler colours have red eyes and white legs. Chicks can take longer to feather up than some other breeds.

Plymouth Rock - Standard: 7.5 lb/3.4 kg; somewhat early maturing; Once common on the homestead, still popular in the backyard. crosses of Dominique, Java, Cochin, and perhaps Malay and Dorking. until World War II, no breed was ever kept and bred as extensively as the Barred Plymouth Rock. Its popularity came from its qualities as an outstanding farm chicken: hardiness, docility, broodiness, and excellent production of both eggs and meat. Barred Plymouth Rock was one of the foundation breeds for the broiler industry in the 1920's, and the White Rock continues to be used as the female side of the commercial broiler cross. dual purpose or general purpose breed and is a bird of graceful curves with a large compact body, broad back and breast, medium upright single comb, yellow legs and rich bay eyes.

Rhode Island - Standard: 6.5 lb/2.9 kg; robust; hardy in heat & cold; combs subject to frostbite; moderately early maturing; Best of breeds for producing brown eggs. a good layer of large brown eggs and as a dual purpose breed also can supply a fair-sized roaster. The hens will rarely go broody and can produce around 260 eggs per year. including Malays, Cochins and Brown Leghorns. It was from the Malay that the Rhode Island Red got its deep color, strong constitution and relatively hard feathers. Relatively hardy, they are probably the best egg layers of the dual purpose breeds. Reds handle marginal diets and poor housing conditions better than other breeds and still continue to produce eggs. They are one of the breeds where exhibition qualities and production ability can be successfully combined in a single strain. Some "Red" males may be quite aggressive. They have rectangular, relatively long bodies, typically dark red in color. Avoid using medium or brick red females for breeding because this is not in keeping with the characteristics of the breed. Also, don't breed from undersized individuals or birds with black in their body feathers (called "smutt"). Black in the main tail and wing feathers is normal, however. Most Reds show broodiness, but this characteristic has been partially eliminated in some of the best egg production strains. The Rose Comb variety tends to be smaller but should be the same size as the Single Combed variety. The red color fades after long exposure to the sun. "Rhodies" have a broad, deep, brick- shaped body, flat back and medium sized tail with prominent eyes and yellow legs. The male plumage is glossy, rich lustrous and dark red, whilst the females are less so. Rhode Island Reds are active birds, which enjoy scratching about,particularly on grass. Both Large fowl and bantams are available and quite popular.
The Rhode Island White originated in 1888 by crossing White Wyandottes with Partridge Cochins and Rose Comb White Leghorns.The breed continued to be developed and improved so that it more closely resembled the Rhode Island Reds brick-like body shape. This distinctive shape helped to prevent the breed from looking similar to and being confused with White Wyandottes or White Plymouth Rock chickens. The Rhode Island White gained some popularity in the US up until the 1960s, at which time their numbers began to decline. The breed never came close to the overwhelming popularity that the more famous Rhode Island Red chicken achieved. The Rhode Island White is a moderately-sized, completely white bird with the males weighing 8 1/2 lbs. and females 6 1/2 lbs. They have long, broad, and deep bodies which are carried horizontally, giving them an oblong and brick-like appearance overall. Their breasts are deep, full, and well rounded. Their heads are fairly deep and are inclined to be flat on top rather than round. Though some single combed offspring do occasionally occur, the breed is has been standardized only with a rose shaped comb. The historic laying ability of the Rhode Island White was respectable by all accounts, with one exceptional hen at the Mountain Grove Experiment Station in Missouri noted as laying 306 eggs in one year. Productive strains of this breed have been known to more typically lay in the 240-250 eggs per year range. They are reputed to be splendid meat fowl and excellent layers of winter eggs. Rhode Island Whites are pleasant, easy going chickens and would make an enjoyable addition to any family farm. Today, the Rhode Island White chicken continues to have its followers and maintains a population of less than 3000 birds (2003 ALBC poultry census). Status: Watch

+Sussex - Standard: 7 lb/3.2 kg; moderately early maturing; robust; very cold hardy; good brooder & mother; English heavy breed; famous as a table fowl and the cocks should weigh in at 9 pounds, with the hens reaching 7 pounds; One of the best of the dual purpose chickens, a good all-around farm fowl. prized as a table fowl more than 100 years ago; Sussex is one of the oldest breeds that is still with us today in fair numbers. Sussex go broody and make good mothers

Welsumer or Welsummer - Standard: 6 lb/2.7 kg; moderately early maturing; economical eater; well adaptable to confinement or free range; lively, but not especially flighty; energetic; friendly; hardy; cold hardy; large dark brown egg, a rich deep flower-pot red brown, almost glowing. Although considered a light, soft feathered, nonsitting breed, the hens frequently do go broody. Welsummers are good foragers on free range. Black/red is the standardized color of the large form. Predominantly a utility breed, the breed is hardy and thrives under free range conditions producing good numbers of its dark brown, 'flowerpot' coloured eggs. However, although classified as a 'Light' breed and usually very active, their bodies are fairly large and the birds quite docile. Most people consider the colouring very attractive and reminiscent of a traditional 'farmyard' bird.

Wyandotte - Standard: 6.5 lb/2.9 kg; moderately early maturing; robust; very cold hardy; an American breed. It was first known as 'American Sebright' and 'Sebright Cochin.' The true origin is shrouded in mystery. The Dark Brahma and Spangled Hamburgs were used by the originator of the 'American Sebright' was evidenced by the cropping out of the Hamburg comb and Dark Brahma color markings in some of the earlier Eastern strains. Buff Wyandottes were light colored Rhode Island Reds, but lacking type and off in color, they laid the foundation of Buff Wyandottes for breed, type and color. Golden and White Wyandotte crosses and Buff Cochin-White and Golden Wyandotte crosses dominated in some strains. Wyandottes are a good, medium-weight fowl for small family flocks kept under rugged conditions. Their rose combs do not freeze as easily as single combs and the hens make good mothers. Layers of good-sized brown eggs and reaching a weight in the males of 8 1/2 pounds, Wyandottes are good dual purpose birds, especially the White and Silver Laced varieties which have been bred for utility, as well as for show. Common faults include narrow backs, undersized individuals and relatively poor hatches. Also, it is not uncommon to see single combed offspring come from rose combed parents. These single combed descendents of Wyandottes should not be kept as breeders.

Cochin - Standard: 8.5 lb/3.8 kg; capable of being a meat type fowl. known as Chinese Shanghai fowl; One of the largest chickens, a full grown cock can reach 11 pounds, with the hens reaching 8 1/2 pounds. With their thick fluffy plumage, the birds look even larger. Their skin is yellow and they lay a brown egg. Although bred mostly for exhibition, they make a good meat bird. Cochins are usually very calm birds and easily made into pets. They are also excellent broodies. Because of their feathering, it is necessary to clip some of the feathers or resort to artificial insemination to obtain good rates of fertility.

**Cornish or Indian Game - Standard: 8 lb/3.6 kg developed in Cornwall, England. Asil, Old English Games, and Malays; a "hard feathered" breed, with a plumage that sits very close to the body, and it carries a small pea comb. Due to their shape, good Cornish often experience poor fertility and artificial mating is suggested. Cornish need adequate protection during very cold weather as their feathers offer less insulation than can be found on most other chickens. The Cornish is a very sturdy bird. From the front its fairly short strong legs should be set widely apart. It is a heavy bird, with a wide breast, and the males may reach 10 1/2 pounds. More so than in most breeds of chicken, body conformation is the same in both sexes. The poultry industry is heavily dependent upon this bird. Most broilers in the supermarket are the result of a cross between a White Cornish and a White Plymouth Rock. These Cornish/Rock crosses are the mainstay of the poultry industry. Be aware, however, that you can't just cross any Cornish and Rock and get a supermarket carcass. The parental lines of these crosses have been developed extensively over the years by the commercial industry. Developed as the ultimate meat bird, the Cornish has contributed its genes to build the vast broiler industry of the world, Its muscle development and arrangement give excellent carcass shape.

Minorca - Standard: 7 lb/3.2 kg; excellent hot weather bird; combs subject to frostbite;early maturing. the largest and heaviest of the Mediterranean fowl. APA's Standard in Black, Buff and White, Males can reach 9 pounds and the hens 7 1/2. Utility strains of the breed were excellent layers of large white eggs. They are rather poor meat fowl because of their narrow angular bodies and slow growth. Minorcas rarely go broody, are very alert and fairly good foragers. Unlike the Leghorn, the Minorca is a dual purpose bird. This means that not only is it a good layer but it can also be used for meat production.

* = formerly meat bird
** = used for meat production
+ = check into more closely


http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html
I also have been looking here to try and find more information on breeds: http://www.albc-usa.org/cpl/wtchlist.html#chickens .. It is a website with a list of endangered livestock and poultry.

 

[Jordann]

I have hatchery birds-- thin carcasses on the DP for orpington, austrolorp, and all of them. Pretty birds that lay. I have marans-- good layers of very dark eggs, meat carcass is thin. Most though not all stock from the big hatcheries are subpar-- there are exceptions but I have learned to find the small breeders. THe hatchery birds have been selected for a smaller size and good egg laying. NOT for meat. 

If you want good carcass traits, for meat, check out Reese POultry and look for the NewHampshires that are bred for meat by a world class breeder of chickens. If you want good carcass buff orpingtons, look for THE dragon lady; 

Buckeyes, from breeders, are also on the meaty end of dual purpose.  Delawares and New Hampshires from Sand Hill POultry; 

Freedom rangers are bred for the meat but are not as fast growing as the cornishX.
Light sussex is another but get it from a breeder.

If you can, which I HIGHLY recommend, find a poultry show in your area; go look at the birds. Understand what a real bird should look like. I"m not saying you should buy, but learn, and you may find a good resource.

If you want good meat from a dual purpose bird you will not get it from what you get at the feed store.

As far as broody--many people get birds that do not go broody as the main source of meat and eggs and use a couple hens from another breed that likes to go broody all the time as the broody hens. All my girls went broody at a young age, about 6 -7 months old; As you said high number of eggs is not an issue, selecting  a breed that goes broody  often maybe the way to go. Hatchery birds are not selected for broodiness; they are actually selected against broodiness  because a broody hen is not cranking out eggs.

Have you thought about when you need your chicks to hatch? WHen you want to harvest them? THe cost of wintering over extra mouths to feed? How many chicks to raise for eating?

I got a little excited and posted before I had read more in depth as to what goes into keeping the birds and what breed would be good for us. Over the winter, my plan is to keep the rooster and a few girls, for the next year's breeding stock. I also plan to bring in new roosters every year or two, just so we don't get three legged chickens. As for how many chicks to raise for eating, I have not quite figured out that number but figure we will learn after the first hatching year. I am hoping to find a bird show before September, when my county fair goes on. (I'm in my state thread, so I am hoping to be able to go to the ones they are talking about)

As for the birds feeding the dogs, I'm thinking they will have to wait, until we get a handle on how broody a girl will be. My main concern is feeding the family chickens, before the dogs. If we don't grow enough the first year, we will have elk to eat, in fall and we will be getting a cow in late fall, too. My only question about getting a silkie or Cochin as a broody girl, is how do I keep getting the bigger babies? I want to be able to "grow" the babies on our own and buy a roo from someone as we need to change them out. I will chick out the hatcheries that you mentioned. Thank you!!

Good-quality Delawares are probably the best all-around dual purpose breed I have had (notice I said good-quality). The hens lay better than most dual-purpose birds, the eggs are large, and the birds personable. The cockerels gain weight rapidly compared to anything other than a cornish cross and have a nice, meaty carcass. I have also had the hens go broody, and they have been good mothers when allowed chicks.

Thank you, I was looking into them, before I found the Orps, Barred Rocks, and Australorps .... Orps and Barred Rocks seem more readily available for my local sources I have found, but will probably end up with a Delaware at some point.

Thank you CJ!

 

[cjhubbs]

Hi Everyone,
I was wondering if the Light Sussex breed make a good heritage egg/meat breed? I just ordered some L.S hatching eggs in hope of the chicks becoming the foundation for my next and hopefully permanent L.S flock . I have heard that L.S hens are great layers but I was wondering how well and how quicly the L.S roosters fill out, in terms of a dual purpose breed not the Conrish X? Thanks for the help!