[skywalker]

Hi all,
I haven't kept chickens before but have set myself the challenge of having a fully home grown Christmas dinner. The veg is sorted (subject to us actually getting a summer  ) but I was thinking of raising a few chicks for meat. What breed would you recommend and at what age should I buy / dispatch them. I obviously need to work out when to acquire them so that I can start making enquiries with local breeders.

[joyfull]

have a chat with Grannie Annie she raises meat chicks (in fact I have just left her place with 7 for my freezer  ) as well as turkeys. She will be able to tell you about different breeds, suppliers and when to get them - very knowledgeable is our Annie 

[skywalker]

Also what is the oldest i would want to be eating them at before they go past their best. Ie I presume the meat is tougher in an old bird 

[joyfull]

us old birds are very tough 
The age depends on the breed you have.

[skywalker]

Ive read that wellsomers are good for meat and eggs. Can anybody confirm this?

[GrannieAnnie]

Good dual purpose birds are: Rhode Island Reds, Light Sussex, Welsummers, opingtons, Wyandottes and I have read that dorkings are too, so are Indian Game Birds!  Today we bought an Indian game cockerel to mate with our Light Sussex, Rhode Islands and we are thinking of getting a couple of Welsummers too to see which cross is best for meat, but at the moment, we buy Hubbards JA757 and Coloryields from Simon at Poulet anglais.

However Simon is overrun with customers at the moment, but if he has any spare chicks (he only sells hatcing eggs or day olds) he does deliver all over, usually big orders, but if you can reach him and he is delivering in your area, he will arrange something.  Shame you are not near us, I could get you a few next time we go up to him.

Simon Skinner if you want to try him at pouletanglais@ukonline.co.uk

Or if you can get to North wales, Cluckingnuts, a member on here now breeds teh Mastergris, which were Simon's.  they are a lovely birds and can get quite large!  our largest one weighed in at 18lbs, but that was exceptional