[mab]

I'm thinking of getting some birds for meat; is there any reason why I should keep the meat birds separate from my layers?

Obviously if I end up with a cock I might get fertilized eggs, but is that a problem?

mab

[Sandy]

My meat birds started off with the others but we far less mobile and kept almost where the run was so as the weather got colder, I put them into the run, Hubbards (thats what I had) seem to do very little so I felt they were better in a smaller area. We ate them before they were fully mature not sure how old but they tasted very nice and were big as well.

Not sure what others think but I cannot see why they cannot be together!!

[little blue]

you're better off feeding the laying hens Layers pellets/mash, with just treats of corn or whatever...

... the meat birds could be fed corn, or finishers pellets, or whatever.
so from this p.o.v. you need to be able to feed them separately.

fertilised eggs can be eaten, assuming they are fresh & kept cool!

We had kept all the young birds together, fed on Layers & some corn mixed in... and ate the cockerels when they became noisy, but if we were raising some just for meat, I imagine its worth thinking about you're feeding them - ours were'nt exactly overburdened with flesh!   (but delicious!)

[mab]

Thanks,

That sets my mind at rest. I actually feed the ex-batts a mix of corn & layers pellets anyway.

all I've got to do now is choose a low maintenence meaty breed and get some eggs I suppose. 

[Hatty]

fertilised eggs can be eaten, assuming they are fresh & kept cool!

And supposedly lower in cholesterol than un-fertilised eggs 

[doganjo]

fertilised eggs can be eaten, assuming they are fresh & kept cool!

And supposedly lower in cholesterol than un-fertilised eggs 

Why?  I can't see the logic in that.

[mab]

That would be good - I ate a lot of eggs last year!

[Hatty]

fertilised eggs can be eaten, assuming they are fresh & kept cool!

And supposedly lower in cholesterol than un-fertilised eggs 

Why?  I can't see the logic in that.

was just something I remembered hearing but I had a rummage round on tinternent thingy and your right!!  found a really interesting egg site though  http://www.incredibleegg.org/
its from the US but interesting

[shetlandpaul]

how. there is one cell diffrence. have you not heard eggs are good for you now. plus most cholesterol is body made and not diet related.
the only reason for seperating the meat and layers is as been said they have diffrent dietry requirements.

[mab]

Thanks for the replies;

All I've got to do now is make sure I've got what I need in place to hatch eggs (don't have a broody hen) and choose a type from available egg sources... Why are there SOOO many types of chicken?? 

m

[jaykay]

Easiest thing is to raise 'old-fashioned' dual purpose birds like Susexes and Wyandottes. They're pretty, the girls lay well and the boys grow to eaten at about 5 months. You keep them all together and feed them the same   Of course, not as many eggs as modern hybrids nor oven-ready in 10 weeks. But you pays your money and makes your choice  

[It-needed-a-home]

Hi mab tried toreply but wouldnt let me i have very good packing system so no problem there 10 pounds + post 5 pound 12 eggs more available if you need

Cheers shout me by email

[Anke]

getting meat chickens as day-olds saves you a full three weeks, and no problems if hatchrate is low. They are usually just about 1 to 2 pounds per bird! Why would you want to hatch your own?

[mab]

I never thought of that - oh well I've got 'em & the old incubator's running now. 

m