Re: O/T GRASS FED CHICKEN AND TURKEY

[Guest guest]

There are two kinds. The standard Cornish x Rock which they usually call "Jumbo". I get the roasters from McMurray. They take longer and grow much bigger. By the time they are ready for processing, they are 9-12 lbs. Like little turkeys.

K.C.

O/T GRASS FED CHICKEN AND TURKEY

What is the best kind of chicken to raise for meat? I will have to do that. I have only had layers but no meat birds.

thanks

Rhoda

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[Guest guest]

Oh yeah, there's also Cornish game hens, which as you know are very small.

K.C.

O/T GRASS FED CHICKEN AND TURKEY

What is the best kind of chicken to raise for meat? I will have to do that. I have only had layers but no meat birds.

thanks

Rhoda

-----

PLEASE BE KIND AND TRIM YOUR POSTS WHEN REPLYING!Visit our Raw Dairy Files for a wealth of information!http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RawDairy/files/

[Guest guest]

> What is the best kind of chicken to raise for meat? I will have to

do that. I have only had layers but no meat birds.

> thanks

> Rhoda

> -----

Rhoda,

There is no right answer. A lot depends on YOUR needs, preferences

and production model.

Cornish Cross (Sometimes called Rock/Cornish) are the dominant strain

of meat bird sold in grocery stores.

Advantages: Rapid growth(reach slaughter weights in 8 weeks),feed

efficiency, and ease of processing. They are very popular so chick

prices are generally low, too. Taste, texture, and flavor is

comparable to store chicken although pastured and home raise is much,

much, better.

Disadvantages: They are more fragile than other breeds(leg problems

and flipping). They are less aggressive foragers and MUST have a good

quality, high protein grain mix to thrive. They are a single purpose

breed in that they are only good for meat.

Dual Purpose breeds:

There a number of dual purpose breeds that are good for both meat and

eggs. Some examples are Rhode Island Reds and Plymouth Rocks.

Advantages: You can get eggs and meat from the same breed. They are

excellent foragers and can get by with a lower protein grain mix,

although, any breed of chicken will require a grain ration. Also, a

lot of people believe (me included) that they are more flavorful than

the Cornish. " Cockerel only " orders on these chicks are often very

cost effective.

Disadvantages: They are slower growing birds. The meat is less tender

and is best suited to slow cooking. They taste " different " than store

chicken which may be an important consideration with kids. In our

experience, they are harder to pluck and take longer to process.

Of course, any chicken can be used for meat, it all depends on your

(and your family's) preferences.

Murray McMurray hatchery has an excellent website with information on

many breeds - meat, egg, dual purpose and specialty breeds.

Regarding soy as a protein source, cottonseed meal may be a viable

alternative.

If you want to find a local source of pastured chickens, you might

try Localharvest.com, Newfarm.org, or Eatwild.com. I believe that all

have farm locators. Some farms ship as well and have their own

websites. Peaceful Pastures is one that does. They are located in TN.

Jody Osmund

Cedar Valley Sustainable Farm

Northern Illinois

However, there are many dual-purpose (meat and eggs) breeds as well.

[Guest guest]

> Oh yeah, there's also Cornish game hens, which as you know are very

small.

>

Just a point of clarification:

Cornish Hens are Cornish cross birds (a very large strain of chicken)

that are slaughtered at a very young age (4-6 weeks).

Jody Osmund

Cedar Valley Sustainable Farm

Northern Illinois

[Guest guest]

Sorry, but Cornish and Cornish game are two different breeds of chickens. You could say that Cornish games are bantams compared to the Cornish. I've raised both so I know the difference. Also, Cornish cross is not the same as Cornish. Cornish cross is a cross between Cornish and Rocks. They are specifically bred for meat birds and are very hard to keep because they grow too fast and big for their legs and hearts to maintain them.

Roasters are also a Cornish x Rock, but of larger stature and slower growing. The basic Jumbo Cornish x Rock are processed at 4-6 weeks, but when they grow, they are lower to the ground then the roasters. I see them as being low and squattier. The roaster get taller and larger.

If you visit www.mcmurrayhatchery.com and go to their meat bird section, you will see the different types they have available.

I have raised White Laced Red Cornish and crossed them with buff Rocks and they were excellent layers as well as had the big breast for meat. But, they were not all white. They were really quite pretty. Sold about 75 of them one year.

K.C.

Re: O/T GRASS FED CHICKEN AND TURKEY

> Oh yeah, there's also Cornish game hens, which as you know are very small.>Just a point of clarification:Cornish Hens are Cornish cross birds (a very large strain of chicken) that are slaughtered at a very young age (4-6 weeks).Jody OsmundCedar Valley Sustainable FarmNorthern IllinoisPLEASE BE KIND AND TRIM YOUR POSTS WHEN REPLYING!Visit our Raw Dairy Files for a wealth of information!http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RawDairy/files/

[Guest guest]

I second the McMurray Conish Rock Roasters (slow growing) as the best

meat birds. We just finished 300 and had no leg deformaties. We

butchered them at 10 weeks and had 6 lb. whole birds that are

wonderful.

Meg Cattell

Windsor Dairy

[Guest guest]

I second the McMurray Conish Rock Roasters (slow growing) as the best

meat birds. We just finished 300 and had no leg deformaties. We

butchered them at 10 weeks and had 6 lb. whole birds that are

wonderful.

Meg Cattell

Windsor Dairy

[Guest guest]

I keep them for 16 weeks and they get much bigger. But, 9 of them last me the whole year (LOL). One thigh and one wing make a whole meal for me with leftovers, if the dogs don't get some, which they usually do.

They are good, aren't they? How do you tolerate 300 of them? I would go nuts with that many.

K.C.

Re: O/T GRASS FED CHICKEN AND TURKEY

I second the McMurray Conish Rock Roasters (slow growing) as the best meat birds. We just finished 300 and had no leg deformaties. We butchered them at 10 weeks and had 6 lb. whole birds that are wonderful.Meg CattellWindsor DairyPLEASE BE KIND AND TRIM YOUR POSTS WHEN REPLYING!Visit our Raw Dairy Files for a wealth of information!http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RawDairy/files/

[Guest guest]

I keep them for 16 weeks and they get much bigger. But, 9 of them last me the whole year (LOL). One thigh and one wing make a whole meal for me with leftovers, if the dogs don't get some, which they usually do.

They are good, aren't they? How do you tolerate 300 of them? I would go nuts with that many.

K.C.

Re: O/T GRASS FED CHICKEN AND TURKEY

I second the McMurray Conish Rock Roasters (slow growing) as the best meat birds. We just finished 300 and had no leg deformaties. We butchered them at 10 weeks and had 6 lb. whole birds that are wonderful.Meg CattellWindsor DairyPLEASE BE KIND AND TRIM YOUR POSTS WHEN REPLYING!Visit our Raw Dairy Files for a wealth of information!http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RawDairy/files/

[Guest guest]

Meg,

Since this is off topic would you give me your email address.

Thanks

Rhoda

rhodaf@...

Re: O/T GRASS FED CHICKEN AND TURKEY

I second the McMurray Conish Rock Roasters (slow growing) as the best meat birds. We just finished 300 and had no leg deformaties. We butchered them at 10 weeks and had 6 lb. whole birds that are wonderful.Meg CattellWindsor DairyPLEASE BE KIND AND TRIM YOUR POSTS WHEN REPLYING!Visit our Raw Dairy Files for a wealth of information!http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RawDairy/files/