[Sonia in Cornwall]

Hi there

We're embarking on our first livestock on our land.  We've decided the 1st thing is the chickens.  We've already got chickens for eggs - we're in a co-operative with 3 others - so these are really just focussing on the meat side (and will be kept separately).  Eggs will be a bonus! 

So - any tips on finding good chickens for meat birds that we can also breed from?  We will get a Cockerel as well and already have a donated incubator so we're pretty much ready to go.  We've rescued battery hens for the eggs (they're coming along nicely - nearly got all their feathers back now!) but for breeding and meat purposes want to make sure we get good provenance. (I'm a cook so I know that's the foodie word - I have no idea if it applies to livestock but I'm sure you know what I mean!)

Any tips would be appreciated! 

P.S. If anyone in Cornwall that knows of anyone with any to sell please get in touch! 

[TheGirlsMum]

If you want any light sussex boys just shout, your very welcome. Weve got atleast 4 that need rehoming preferably not in my freezer. I pass your neck of the woods on the way to the Helford several times a week.

[egglady]

we use hubbards as our meat birds and find them totally fine for what we need.  good sized carcass with plenty meat on their bones.  also they (the girls that is!) have started to lay as well....and so much for meat birds not laying, we get one a day from each of the girls!

[Sonia in Cornwall]

If you want any light sussex boys just shout, your very welcome. Weve got atleast 4 that need rehoming preferably not in my freezer. I pass your neck of the woods on the way to the Helford several times a week.

That sounds fab - thank you.  I'll give you a shout when we've got the girls settled in. 

[Shnoowie]

Egglady, I can't seem to find anyone in the southwest who supplies Hubbards as day olds....any advice

[ramblerskitchen]

I am also looking for hubbards or similar near to Dorset if anyone can recommend a supplier.  I can get some delivered but charge is £25.00 which more than doubles the cost of the chicks

[darkbrowneggs]

Why don't you buy some of Eggladys if she is willing to sell them.

All the best
Sue
Dark Brown Eggs

[Frieslandfilly]

Hi, we have also just taken delivery of hubbards for meat production, and I must say they don't half grow!! We got ours from Cyril Bason, you can find him online, but we also ordered 25 point of lay at the same time, so delivery costs were spread over the lot. We have tried our own x breeds and pure breeds in the past which were fine but these are definitely going to be a decent size table birds in comparison.

[Castle Farm]

The fastest way would be to put an advert in for unwanted cockerels or go to a market.

Most of the work is already done in the way of feeding and besides which if you rear your first lot from chicks you will probably get fond of them and it does make killing your own babies difficult.

If your looking to get hatching eggs I will be selling Welsh Blacks and Improved Indian Game Mid March and both those breed lay and are very good weight table birds.

More information on my web site.

[silver swan]

Hi,
 
HFW (River Cottage) did an experiment years ago to find the best flavoured meat birds. They were first generation crosses. He trialed 3 types and I think the winner was an English Game cross with something can't remember what or if the E. Game was the cock or hen. It's all in his River Cottage Cookbook in the poultry section though.

If that's any help...........?

[Calvadnack]

Truro Livestock Market is holding their poultry auction on 26th February.  We went to the rare breeds auction last year and bought some buff sussex pullets which have been brilliant.  As this is not just a rare breeds auction you may be able to pick up some commercials.  Everyone is very friendly, but bring your own containers.
As with all bought in poultry you must have somewhere to quarantine any new birds, but for us down in deepest Cornwall this may be the easiest way to get a range of chickens.

[egglady]

sorry dont know where you could get them from, we are lucky enough to get ours from the CSSA each time.

and as i am Fife, Scotland, i think it might just be a wee bit too far to sell them to you!

sorry

[hoggsbreath]

in regards to the hugh fernly whit question it was an indian game cock cross with a white wyandotte i think.defo indian game cock though.have heard of people crossing indian game with ross/cobb type meat birds to give strength of leg.i done 50 ross cobb types one year and the rate they grow is unbelievable.i tried to give them a bit of a better life by putting them in a lorrybody in a grass field.they had no interest what so ever in leaving the nearest available seat from the food.just eat,drink and sit down.so they went back in the barn.the biggest cockeral i killed went a shade under 20 pound.like the sound of them hubbards though.

[cluckingnuts]

HFW-- I thought it was IG x Dorking that came 1st.

[egglady]

our kill weight for the hubbards is about 10.5lbs for the cockerels.  girls usually a bit less. 

very very tasty meat