[Dream Field]

Hi All, I have been on the general forum and have been advised to come to this section for advice, i suppose its a simple question with i imagine many different answers but here it is, if i want a bird for the table what is the best breed, if i want a bird for laying the best quality eggs, what is the best breed, and is there a holy grail of chicken, a breed that is best for both?  

[Casey76]

Ah, the age old question

If you want a bird specifically for the table, take a look at the Hubbard or Cobb table hybrids (I have Sasso hybrids, but I don't think you can get them in the UK - though Sasso have recently teamed up with Hubbard).  The table bird mature quickly (ready for slaughter in 10-12 weeks).

If you want a bird specifically for eggs, then the commercial hybrids (ISA browns/warrens) are what you need to look at... however it then depends on if you want something a bit different... different coloured eggs, a "fancy-looking hen, or a different coloured hen.  There are multiple hybrids out there which would do the job.

If you're looking for a dual purpose bird, e.g. keep the hens for egg laying and run the boys on for meat, then the British Sussex birds (Light sussex are the most common) are a great dual purpose bird male pure breeds take around 26 weeks to grow on for slaughter, but will start crowing between 10 and 16 weeks if this will be an issue.  Again, if you want something a bit different Faverolles are a typical French dual purpose bird, as is the Bresse Gauloise.

[hillfooter]

Ah, the age old question

If you want a bird specifically for the table, take a look at the Hubbard or Cobb table hybrids (I have Sasso hybrids, but I don't think you can get them in the UK - though Sasso have recently teamed up with Hubbard).  The table bird mature quickly (ready for slaughter in 10-12 weeks).

If you want a bird specifically for eggs, then the commercial hybrids (ISA browns/warrens) are what you need to look at... however it then depends on if you want something a bit different... different coloured eggs, a "fancy-looking hen, or a different coloured hen.  There are multiple hybrids out there which would do the job.

If you're looking for a dual purpose bird, e.g. keep the hens for egg laying and run the boys on for meat, then the British Sussex birds (Light sussex are the most common) are a great dual purpose bird male pure breeds take around 26 weeks to grow on for slaughter, but will start crowing between 10 and 16 weeks if this will be an issue.  Again, if you want something a bit different Faverolles are a typical French dual purpose bird, as is the Bresse Gauloise.

I think Casey has it pretty much right and I can't improve on this other than to add there's no such bird as a dual purpose commercial hybrid as they are highly specialised for their purpose Table or eggs.  Small breeders may offer crosses which are claimed to be utility but the best bet if you want both in one bird is a pure breed and Light Sussex are in the first rank being easily available and not too expensive to buy breeder stock.  Iif you want them for the table pure breeds are too expensive to buy as growers best to breed your own.  Others to consider are Rhode Island Reds.  Ixworth an old English breed are difficult to find and therefore more expensive to buy ,but are excellent dual purpose and reputed to be of the highest quality meat wise.

Barnevelders and Marans both are reasonable dual purpose too, but Sussex Light (more common) or Buff (my favourites) are tops.

HF

[Dream Field]

I love this site! at the moment i am looking to buy some land to set up a small holding and i am really researching every aspect of what i am doing to prepare myself! Your help is invaluable. Basically i am looking to establish a stock that will enable me to sell eggs and meat direct to restaurants and end users in the cheshire region. not even sure what number of birds i should try to establish initially, could you reccomend a source for providing me with a breeding stock? I am very much new to this but very determined to carry it through properly. Thanks again for your help everyone

[hillfooter]

I assume you will want to offer high quality and have some special credentials like being organic and free range.  You'll need to know what regulations are neccessary to qualify to use such terms when selling.  As for stock I'd stick with specialised hybrids as these will be the most cost effective.  You can start small and grow when you are a little more experienced.  It depends on how many you want to supply but I'd check out the larger breeders such as Meadowsweet, ISA or Hy Line and find their local agents to buy your birds from.  Garden centres and enthusiasts are just for small scale hobbyists.  Getting vaccinated stock will be beneficial and you need to obviously checkout the regulations issued by Defra on selling to the public and trade.  Most people on this site are hobbists (as I am) rather than being commercial so I'd bare that in mind but there are a few with more commercial experience who can advise I would have hoped.  Growing hundreds of birds for commercial gain is completely different from having four in an Eglu in the back garden.  You probably need some specialist agricultural advice.

Best of luck,
HF

[Ribbit]

Our Light Sussex doesn't seem to want to lay eggs! She laid about 20 or so last year, and that was the year when she started to lay Good luck anywho. I heard that Ixworths are good meat birds and fairly good layers. Are you going to get a mixed variety or just one breed?

[Dream Field]

I maybe looking at a scale thats a bit larger than hobbyist but the help i am getting is invaluable, whilst i am looking at commercial supply it is very much part of a plan encompassing different aspects of small holding, I need to make a living but i am not interested in money! As long as i have enough and as i will be self sufficient in food etc and no mortgage (I have bought a lovely static caravan as a base, i am serious!) then my main plan is to be true to my philosophy, free range for sure, organic if it is possible and love for the livestock the land and the produce. I am embarking on a social experiment, is it possible to chage your life completely and return to a traditional impact free way of living? Whatever happens i am already enjoying the trip

[Ribbit]

Wow. that sounds like the life! Self-sufficient, chooks by your side....

[carolbriar]

Like Ribbit I have a light sussex - she is 40 weeks old and still hasn't laid an egg

[Dream Field]

Like Ribbit I have a light sussex - she is 40 weeks old and still hasn't laid an egg

making it a reality is the tough bit!

[hillfooter]

Like Ribbit I have a light sussex - she is 40 weeks old and still hasn't laid an egg

One problem with pure breeds is that showers breed them purely for looks and they create strains which are poor layers.  You should always ask your supplier if their stock are good utility and particular layers if that's important to you.

Hf

[Pretty Chick]

My black rock hens lay very big, brown eggs every day without fail 

[GrannieAnnie]

If you wanted to start selling meat birds to hotels etc.  You can't kill them yourself, you have to have them processed at a proper licensed processing plant.

So you have to take that cost into account as well as everything else!  We raise Hubbard breeds for meat, but they don't seem to get as big as they used to, although they still eat for England!!!!

[Brian Green fingers]

My black rock hens lay very big, brown eggs every day without fail 

ditto, they're fantastic birds!

[feelingbroody]

I am the only one that hates to think of the chooks for a meal, I know its a reality unless you choose to be a vegan or veggie but I really could not think of eating my girls ! but maybe because they are little pets in the backyard    or am I just soft

Broody