The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: gavo on November 01, 2008, 10:54:02 pm

Title: What are the tastiest meat birds ?
Post by: gavo on November 01, 2008, 10:54:02 pm

Hello,

  We have just slaughtered our Cuckoo Marans and are looking for another breed to raise (for a spot in our farm shop). What is a good tasty breed to raise ? (bar Cobbs/Broilers as we simply don't use any "modified" breeds in our farming).


Cheers

Gavin

Title: Re: What are the tastiest meat birds ?
Post by: Blinkers on November 02, 2008, 02:56:47 pm

Light Sussex Cockerels are tasty  ;)

Title: Re: What are the tastiest meat birds ?
Post by: pigsatlesrues on November 03, 2008, 10:44:59 pm

I bought in Faverolles which are dual purpose birds.  They are large and heavy chested so breast meat should be good.  We have yet to eat any, but our friends have eaten the meat many times and say it is delicious - a really good flavour. Even the Faverolle crosses seem to produce really good breast meat, so it is possibly a good one to consider. 

We have a young one now which I think is a cock bird, who is being loved and nurtured by a little Silkie.  He loves his mum and he is almost the same size as her now! He sits under her wing at night and wears it like a little hat!

Kate  :chook:

Title: Re: What are the tastiest meat birds ?
Post by: gavo on November 04, 2008, 01:59:17 pm

Thanks people - I'll go hunting on Ebay and see what eggs are available.

Regards

Gavin

Title: Re: What are the tastiest meat birds ?
Post by: garden cottage on November 04, 2008, 05:34:52 pm

hi gavin, think you should check out( no success with incubator )post on poultry before you purchase your eggs.................neil

Title: Re: What are the tastiest meat birds ?
Post by: Birdie Wife on November 07, 2008, 12:01:08 pm

Hi Gavo,
I know a breeder in N Ireland from another forum who has a few different pure breeds - you'd be better collecting eggs if that's an option rather than getting them posted.  Fertility drops off at the back end of the year too, so my advice would be to wait until the spring in any case (unless you're desperate, that is!).

Title: Re: What are the tastiest meat birds ?
Post by: Rosemary on November 07, 2008, 07:31:29 pm

In what way are Cobbs "modified"?

Title: Re: What are the tastiest meat birds ?
Post by: rlucas on November 11, 2008, 02:53:33 pm

I am not speakingh from personal experience, but I hear good things about Ixworths.  I plan to try some myself next year

Title: Re: What are the tastiest meat birds ?
Post by: gavo on November 13, 2008, 09:28:08 pm

Rosemary,

   Cobbs were developed by Ross - as in the frozen food people to be a large meat bird. They (in my opinion) bear no resemblance to what nature intended but a merely large living chicken breasts.

Cheers

Gavin

Title: Re: What are the tastiest meat birds ?
Post by: Hilarysmum on November 14, 2008, 08:49:32 am

large living chicken breasts with no taste ....

Title: Re: What are the tastiest meat birds ?
Post by: Rosemary on November 14, 2008, 02:05:26 pm

Would you class Hubbards the same? We had some last year and they were very tasty - even leftovers in curry tasted like chicken.

Title: Re: What are the tastiest meat birds ?
Post by: gavo on November 14, 2008, 11:21:27 pm

Rosemary,

      We haven't had any experience of Hubbards but surely something that is fully grown by 12 weeks is a bit freaky.

Cheers

Gavin

Title: Re: What are the tastiest meat birds ?
Post by: Rosemary on November 15, 2008, 09:32:34 pm

Freaky but tasty.

Title: Re: What are the tastiest meat birds ?
Post by: Castle Farm on November 18, 2008, 08:53:24 pm

Most traditional breeds taste like chicken,but mainly all leg and hardly any white meat.An Indian Game x bred will make a good eating bird.
Good crosses viewed on my web page

Title: Re: What are the tastiest meat birds ?
Post by: Birdie Wife on November 20, 2008, 11:36:19 am

There's a breeder known as Leghorn on another poultry forum, he has developed his own hybrid which is based on a LF utility Australorp x Indian Game (I believe) - those who've bought hatching eggs or birds from him rate them very highly.  He calls them Welsh Blacks - because he's based in Wales and... you guessed it...

I can send you the link if you like.

Title: Re: What are the tastiest meat birds ?
Post by: rlucas on November 20, 2008, 12:33:35 pm

http://www.rbst.org.uk/watch-list/poultry/ixworth

Title: Re: What are the tastiest meat birds ?
Post by: Castle Farm on November 20, 2008, 05:42:48 pm

Hello Birdie.
Thanks for the thumbs up on my Welsh Blacks.They are a hybrid Australorp x Indian Game.
Photos of these are on my web page.
www.castlefarmeggs.co.uk

Title: Re: What are the tastiest meat birds ?
Post by: Birdie Wife on November 21, 2008, 12:05:39 pm

Hello!  Should have twigged by your avatar really. Nice to see you here  :D