Slowing growing chicken

ballynag

Hi
Im looking to raise table birds that are slow growing, rather than the conventional broilers. think they are used by organic breeders. I m not sure of the names of such breeds, anyone know?
Much thanks!!

Bizzum

Brahmas are a good table bird. Highly regarded for taste.

moy83

Indian Game or Favorelles(think thats how its spelt ) are good meaty birds .

theMountain

Indian Game or Favorelles(think thats how its spelt ) are good meaty birds .

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Any idea where you get these birds ?

moy83

theMountain wrote: »

Indian Game or Favorelles(think thats how its spelt ) are good meaty birds .

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Any idea where you get these birds ?

You could try done deal or poultry sales . I'm in the west and there is nearly always a sale advetised on donedeal for sunday mornings .I'm not an expert but any meaty type of hen will be slow growing if you have them free ranging and just grain fed as opposed to giving them the broiler pellets so you dont have to be looking out for slow growing breeds in particular .

what happen

moy83 wrote: »

You could try done deal or poultry sales . I'm in the west and there is nearly always a sale advetised on donedeal for sunday mornings .I'm not an expert but any meaty type of hen will be slow growing if you have them free ranging and just grain fed as opposed to giving them the broiler pellets so you dont have to be looking out for slow growing breeds in particular .

the cousin bought some broiler chicks and raised them free range they grew up like mini turkeys great birds. he told me he found some dead and he found out that they only live a short time.something to do with the heart cant take the weight.

moy83

what happen wrote: »

the cousin bought some broiler chicks and raised them free range they grew up like mini turkeys great birds. he told me he found some dead and he found out that they only live a short time.something to do with the heart cant take the weight.

I think seven or eight weeks would be the length of time the broilers take to finish . I dont really like them because i find them very fragile unless you have them under a heatlamp all the time and kept in the shed .I have light sussex now the hens are reasonable layers and i just leave the cocks off until they look big enough . They mightnt have as much meat as the broilers but still sound in a chicken stew

ballynag

/www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/farmingsectors/organicfarming/publications/organic_poultry_report.pdf

Good report on organic chicken farming by Teagasc above. It states:

Genetic improvements over the last forty to fifty years in broiler growth rates mean that the broiler hybrids today have too fast a growth rate.They become too large and show typical health problems related to rapid growth (Bassler and Ciszuk 2002). Secondly, standard breeds can be prone to heart attacks, the incidence of which increases as bird weight increases. Thirdly, these breeds are also prone to leg problems....

It seems that its not as simple as just feeding a conventional broiler less, or different food, as genetics are involved. The French seem to have it sorted...

Ta for the info, will look out on done deal. Just dont like the way broilers we have had in the past become so grotesque, the ultimate fast food chicken I guess..

what happen

moy83 wrote: »

I think seven or eight weeks would be the length of time the broilers take to finish . I dont really like them because i find them very fragile unless you have them under a heatlamp all the time and kept in the shed .I have light sussex now the hens are reasonable layers and i just leave the cocks off until they look big enough . They mightnt have as much meat as the broilers but still sound in a chicken stew

ya i have the light sussex as well good hens.:D