[farmers wife]

Where abouts are you?

I might be able to sort you some Sasso eggs or chicks out.

Im in SE Wales just outside Newport.  No where near to you.  As a newbie to table hen rearing which do you recommend the most?  I usually pay £15 for a meat bird (organic) so looking to raise anything under that price.  I'll be rearing to organic standards but not selling however their food will be organic as this is how we eat.  We have a big farm, plenty of space and grass. Big mouths to feed though!

[Dave C]

Hi FW, I travel over to Wrexham with work every few weeks if that's any good.

The type depends on how quickly you want them on your table and how much meat you want them to have.
Pure breeds taking longer and having a lot more frame and darker meat than broilers but have there place.
I would keep away from the Ross Cobb type as they gain weight so fast they can have many health problems before they even get to 6 weeks.

The French Sasso's I kept back last year and have bred from are somewhere in between, they are the free range type and when allowed to do so keep very fit.

Last year I worked out they cost me just under £5 each to rear.

[Dave C]

These are mine at 4 weeks now, bred them myself from 2 types of French Sasso meat hybrids I kept back last year, they are the Free range type.

The Whites are Sasso x Cuckoo Marans
















A Sasso x Marans Pullet


Not a good pic, but a nice shape for a Marans cross


As you can see they are holding plenty Meat already, I will be keeping the Pullets back again for breeding and there excellent layers all year round.
And the fittest cockerel as a back up to last years big fella.

[macgro7]

Wow! They look meaty already!

[Charlie1234]

Hi FW, I travel over to Wrexham with work every few weeks if that's any good.

The type depends on how quickly you want them on your table and how much meat you want them to have.
Pure breeds taking longer and having a lot more frame and darker meat than broilers but have there place.
I would keep away from the Ross Cobb type as they gain weight so fast they can have many health problems before they even get to 6 weeks.

The French Sasso's I kept back last year and have bred from are somewhere in between, they are the free range type and when allowed to do so keep very fit.



Last year I worked out they cost me just under £5 each to rear.

Hi Farmers Wife
I am meeting Dave C next Tuesday so I could bring some Eggs back to Llandrindod wells If you could get to me to collect them ??

[Charlie1234]

These are mine at 4 weeks now, bred them myself from 2 types of French Sasso meat hybrids I kept back last year, they are the Free range type.

The Whites are Sasso x Cuckoo Marans
















A Sasso x Marans Pullet


Not a good pic, but a nice shape for a Marans cross


As you can see they are holding plenty Meat already, I will be keeping the Pullets back again for breeding and there excellent layers all year round.
And the fittest cockerel as a back up to last years big fella.

They look great Dave,can see they are gonna have plenty of breast meat..once I get the I.G. + Turkeys growing I`ll be up for some of them Sasso 

[farmers wife]

Hi FW, I travel over to Wrexham with work every few weeks if that's any good.

The type depends on how quickly you want them on your table and how much meat you want them to have.
Pure breeds taking longer and having a lot more frame and darker meat than broilers but have there place.
I would keep away from the Ross Cobb type as they gain weight so fast they can have many health problems before they even get to 6 weeks.

The French Sasso's I kept back last year and have bred from are somewhere in between, they are the free range type and when allowed to do so keep very fit.



Last year I worked out they cost me just under £5 each to rear.

Hi Farmers Wife
I am meeting Dave C next Tuesday so I could bring some Eggs back to Llandrindod wells If you could get to me to collect them ??

Llandrindod is a considerable distance from me.  I am close to the M4 not far from the Severn Bridge.  And Wrexham (I could drive to London and back quicker lol) Its not a pleasant drive either.  The furthest I could justify is Crickhowell/Brecon.  Very kind though and if I knew anyone in mid Wales I would.  Thanks again.

[Dave C]

Never mind FW

Mrs C is looking into doing the posting eggs thing, so if we ever get sorted I will let you know.

[Dave C]

These are mine at 4 weeks now, bred them myself from 2 types of French Sasso meat hybrids I kept back last year, they are the Free range type.

The Whites are Sasso x Cuckoo Marans
















A Sasso x Marans Pullet


Not a good pic, but a nice shape for a Marans cross


As you can see they are holding plenty Meat already, I will be keeping the Pullets back again for breeding and there excellent layers all year round.
And the fittest cockerel as a back up to last years big fella.

They look great Dave,can see they are gonna have plenty of breast meat..once I get the I.G. + Turkeys growing I`ll be up for some of them Sasso 

Thanks mate, they seem to be breeding very well and I would love to get a few gene pools going which will help breeding them long term.

[Charlie1234]

Well I have spoken to a mate today and he is happy to hatch + keep a few sasso for me until I get the I.G. to a good size so i can move them into the stables,so look forward to helping the gene pool of your sasso`s mate 

[Dave C]

Chicks sorted, eggs sorted 

Although if I'd had more than a days notice on the eggs I would of separated the cross breed hens out to ensure 100% of the eggs were French Sasso's    

But hey, we all like a wild card surprise   or two

[Charlie1234]

Thanks for the Chicks + the eggs mate,bit of a last minute offer by a mate to hatch the eggs hence the short notice but you pulled it off 

Chicks are looking nice + happy and I didnt realise until I got them out 1 at a time that you had put extra`s in  really appreciate it.

Nice to have met up + had a good old chin wag,will keep you posted on their progress and get some decent pics on once my new camera arrives later in the week.

[Dave C]

No problem at all pal.

Always good to have a good chat with someone who knows what there talking about and appreciates utility birds 

Really good meeting you & the wife and I hope the birds turn out well for you.

Looking forward to the pics.

[Charlie1234]

Chicks settled once they sussed out the electric hen,feeding+ drinking well and spending as much time on the hen as under it.

My New camera came today so got a few pics of chicks,my IG boy + speckledy hens + the last chicks i hatched (2xbresse,1 ig and 1 ig x maran)

[Dave C]

Nice looking birds mate 

Looking forward to plenty of pics now you have the new camera