table birds

[mubz2cool 4]

hi all. I am going to be geting some chickens soon, just finished making the coupe. I was wondering if anyone knows what breed will be best to act as a table bird? and if anyone knows of were i can get some from round cheshire. Thanks, Mo

[lurchers 2,769]

get some boilers if you can mate they grow very fast as long as you give them plenty of food and scraps but some times they collapse as they get to heavy to quick.

[Guest MickyB]

The comercial breeds put on weight very fast, and as a result taste like watered down chicken.... if you want something special, but slower growing then either go for a pure breed like the large wyandotte, old type sussex, ixworth or game breed, or try crosses with the indian game, any general utility breed will do to cross, but if you want size go for a big breed like the orpington, jersey giant, or transylvanian naked neck.

 

Hope this helps

 

Edited to add, that there are often poultry sales at livestock marts, and often some for sale in local add mags, you could also go down the route of buying a small auto incubator and purchase some hatching eggs from breeders, or even from e-bay.

Edited May 23, 2009 by MickyB

[Cotswold 0]

We've got Ixworths, which are a post-war utility strain i.e good for eggs and meat. Only got those 'cos a guy round here breeds them. Before that had all sorts, but reckon that out of the commercial types Sasso are the best. Cyril Bason web site is good, and I think they will deliver to Cheshire.

[trapperman 474]

i`ve reared your basic cobb type birds and on free range they are preety good

 

i also breed light sussex chickens which are supposed to be a egg and table bird but they dont fattern that well i would say the best traditiional breed for the table is a dorking or a cross from one

[mubz2cool 4]

thanks all for the great info! i will try some of the above options. all the best, Mo

[Netter 0]

I keep Ixworths, Light Sussex, Rhode Islands, Welsummers, and a few other bits and bobs, I've tried all of the commercial breeds, and they are very good for what they are, but I must confess to being a fan of traditional breeds.

In my opinion a traditional bird, fattened slowly over time, given good wholesome grub, cannot be beaten.

[gerjan 7]

Mayby try something like isa brown, they're cheap lay large eggs and they are large.

 

Gerjan