Meat Hens

[bonniethomas06]

Hi

We have decided to get some meat hens, after much emotional wrestling.

They will have a different run and henhouse to the layers.

We were thinking of getting maybe 6 to start with, and then doing the deed on the same day, and freezing the chicken.

However, I am not sure of the best way to start. A local supplier sells one day old chicks for £3 each. Or we could get fertalized eggs.

Has anyone done this before, and if so, would you recommend chicks or eggs?

Thanks

Bonnie

[Big Al]

Hi

We have decided to get some meat hens, after much emotional wrestling.

They will have a different run and henhouse to the layers.

We were thinking of getting maybe 6 to start with, and then doing the deed on the same day, and freezing the chicken.

However, I am not sure of the best way to start. A local supplier sells one day old chicks for £3 each. Or we could get fertalized eggs.

Has anyone done this before, and if so, would you recommend chicks or eggs?

Thanks

Bonnie

Found this site which is new to me but looks really good and easy to read... well for me it is.
HTH

Alan

[bonniethomas06]

Thanks Big Al but I can't see a link?

[red]

at £3 a chick I wouldn't say it was worth it. might be worth seeing if you can get better than that?

for example

might be worth finding out where you nearest poultry auction is.. you can often get bargains in both live birds, and hatching eggs.

we raise chickens to eat, but we have our own cockerel. buying in eggs is prolly the next best thing, but best if you find somewhere local so you can collect.. although i have successfully hatched from eggs through the post, there is usually less success, and of course the postage cost on top makes it not really worth it, unless you wanted a particular breed to add to your flock. then you have to factor in the cost of running the incubator and a heat lamp. - although we sucessfully fostered 14 chicks under a broody hen last year (she was most surprised at hatching 14 out of 3 eggs, and in less time than usual! )

the other thing to consider is looking round for adverts for cockerels.. it seems often schools, or individuals like to hatch eggs, but dont want to deal with the cockerels. this could be good for you

[bonniethomas06]

Thanks Red.

Price to begin with is not too much of a concern while we get the hang of it all. I am thinking that maybe rather than worry about incubators or hens not adopting the day olds (how sweet to adopt 15!) I will try buying eggs from the local supplier and get our broody bantam to sit on them. She will love it!

I am still a bit worried about the dispatching bit though - hate myself for being so squeamish and wimpy. I suppose it must get easier over time, but I don't think I have ever intentionally killed anything in my life. I have certainly never seen a dead hen before.

...well, apart from every time I go to a supermarket or farm shop!

That is the silly thing, isn't it

[red]

well if you have a broody, thats the way forward. much cheaper - easier all round, and the chicks are likely to do well.

we despatch our own, and its not so bad . Realistically, I think all hen keepers should know how to do it anyway, in case of having to put a bird out their misery etc. the best method, imho, is the broomstick. I can give you more info on the whole process if you want.

it is a bit grim - but the reality that the birds will have a much longer, happier life, than even the FR ones you can buy, makes it acceptable in my mind.

[ADG]

a good cross we experimented with was the light sussex x indian game,I CAN get you some Indian game eggs, then rear them all eat the males(or sell them as trhey do sell for a pretty penny), then buy a LS cock bird to cross them with, I know its an 18month project but at least then its ongoing

[Big Al]

Thanks Big Al but I can't see a link?

The duckhead in me forgot to post it..........

http://www.barlingpoultry.co.uk/index.htm don't know if it's what you want but here is the original link.

Alan