Meat birds.

[p54jes]

I have got a chance of a few meat birds for the freezer called "Hubards". Can anybody fill me in with details about feed,Timing etc any info would be great thanks.
D

[RichmondHens]

Never heard of them! If they are like Sasso, then they are extremely fast growers and are ready for the pot within weeks, not months. You will have to check with the person you are getting them from. If they are these fast grower types, then you will have to watch them carefully to make sure they don't suffer joint/leg problems due to the rapid weight gain. Feeding regime can be as normal layers, albeit with a grower feed instead of layer. In intensive systems, the birds have access to the feed round the clock, but I assume you will go for the normal way of feeding, day time only. This will slow the growth rate slightly and help avoid leg problems.

[Polly Fouracre]

I have just "processed" my Hubbards. I kept them on freeish range, fed them organic growers pellets and organic mixed corn plus all the greens I could spare and all suitable garden weeds.
I killed two at twelve weeks and four at eighteen weeks. The younger ones had a much softer and less tasty flesh than the older ones. The older ones had just a faint hint of gameiness about them that gave them more flavour.
By freeish range I mean they were in a pen about 3 x 3 metres but, at least were out in the air and able to scratch, dust bathe etc.
I hope yours do as well as mine did!

[Polly Fouracre]

By the way, the youmger killed out at around four pounds in weight and the older ones at abot seven.

[Bephlam]

Not for me, I'm afraid.

I totally agree with the natural method of growing for food, but these fast growing breeds are unethical, in my opinion. I couldn't bring myself to kill them at 12 weeks or 18 weeks for food.

You're right though Polly, at least they had some quality of life...albeit a short one.

[Snadger]

Not for me, I'm afraid.

I totally agree with the natural method of growing for food, but these fast growing breeds are unethical, in my opinion. I couldn't bring myself to kill them at 12 weeks or 18 weeks for food.

You're right though Polly, at least they had some quality of life...albeit a short one.

Not for me either Bephlam!

I culled my first Light Sussex cockerel at about 14 weeks, another at 16 weeks and the last one was a Faverolle (sorry Bephlam!) at about 18 weeks.
The Faverolle was the nicest tasting bird with darkish gamey tasting meat.
The other two seemed to have a lot of 'puppy' fat and weren't quite as tasteful.

The Sasso's etc which put on weight that quickly that there legs can't stand the weight aren't for me either................think I'll just stick with dual purpose birds.
The other Faverolle cockerel is getting a bit of a reprieve at the mo because I'm considerig using him as a breeding cock for LS,Dorking or Minorca hens. Should create some interesting hybrids I reckon?!
Hopefully not so big that there legs snap though!

[RichmondHens]

Polly - I still would like to know about your Indian Game crosses. Have been thinking about this as a meat source. Have a Light Sussex cock who I will cross with some of my older hens (mainly Buff Sussex/Welsummer crosses) for some meat birds next year but would be v interested to know how you get on with IG and what combination you use, ie IG cock and other hen, or IG hen and another cock?

[Bramble-Poultry]

i seem to remember that in River Cottage series two, Hugh crossed an IG cock to a dorking hen and got a superb bird for the table. It had to be that way round apparently, not a dorking cock to IG hen......

I think that is what i will use my new found cock "Goliath" for. I have a couple of Dorking hens so come the new year i will put him to the dorkings and see what comes out. He has a wide gait (like the IG) and stands 24-26" tall (depending if he stretches) so should father some good sized table birds.

Apart from that, i appear to be inundated with turkeys (both Bronze and rare breed Slate) so i will be eating a lot of that for the next few months!!!

[RichmondHens]

So by Christmas you will be fed up of turkey and want something else (venison?) instead!

I'd like to have turkeys next year. Almost bought some poults this year but decided against it in the end as more work involved getting yet more accommodation/pens ready. I've not kept turkeys before so any useful pointers re their care would be good, Bramble. I've heard they are not to be kept on the sound ground as chickens - true or false? Also, how much space do you recommend? I only want two or three max, for fattening, but would like them to free range (within a large enclosure).

[Polly Fouracre]

Polly - I still would like to know about your Indian Game crosses. Have been thinking about this as a meat source. Have a Light Sussex cock who I will cross with some of my older hens (mainly Buff Sussex/Welsummer crosses) for some meat birds next year but would be v interested to know how you get on with IG and what combination you use, ie IG cock and other hen, or IG hen and another cock?

I will use an Indian Game cockerell on Light Sussex hens. This is a classic cross for dual-purpose birds. Though you have to choose your parent birds from good egg-laying/ table bird stock.
I will have an I.G. cockerell from a good egg-laying source in a few weeks time if you are interested and I can get him to you!
The best crosses are from "hard-feathered" breeds as the flesh of soft feathered tends to be soft.

[RichmondHens]

Polly, will have a think about the IG cock and get back to you. Where are you roughly? I'm near Holt in North Norfolk.

[Bramble-Poultry]

the reason you dont keep turkeys on the same ground as hens have been is due to the risk of picking up an intestinal worm that causes "blackhead". chickens are immune to it, but turkeys arent.

you can put turkeys on the same ground however, but only when adult and under a very strict worming regime.

as for space, the more the merrier is ideal obviously but its a trade off as the more space you have, the more fat they run off and wont gain weight as fast. Our breeding pair have a shed to themselves and a run, but make sure it is a covered run as Slate Turkeys are a single breasted turkey and will happily roost 15ft up in a tree!
Some bronze turkeys are double breasted and therefore cant fly

Runs need to be at least 6' high as our stag will happily look over a three foot fence without blinking!

As for poults, either buy them in as 6 week old young 'uns and rear once off heat, or hatch your own from eggs. To rear for the table, keep them in a pole barn, which is basically a run with a three sided shed at the end with a large stout perch. Turkeys will happily take the cold as long as they stay dry and out of strong drafts.

As for feeding and watering, put the water in a bucket and let them drink from that as they have hassle drinking from a traditional chicken drinker as their heads are too big. Feeding, use a good quality turkey rearing pellet from 6 weeks to 12 weeks of age, and then switch to a finisher like Farmgates "Topweight" from 12 weeks to slaughter. They also can eat for britain!

You should get a reasonable slaughter weight by 16weeks onwards. This is why the pole barn is a good idea as you can make one up from fence panels with a roof over and take them down again after you have reared them.

The lady we got our breeding pair from in Wales ran them with chickens over a couple of acres free range, but she had to be quick at night to get them into the barn otherwise they were up in the trees for the night!

Here is a picture of "Walter" our stag when we first had him. He weighs around the same weight as a sack of feed, so about 20kg. you can just make out "Flo" the hen in the background.

[Bramble-Poultry]

Ok - richmond/Polly offering a sort of delivery/collection arrangement if you are too far apart (well actually I know you are - I have Pollys address and I know where Richmond is too!)

Weekend of 12/13th September travelling to Axminster via taunton and exeter could arrange to meet to collect birds Sunday afteroon. Richmond - you'll just have to wait until next time I pop up to get him from me - I'll feed and house him in the interim. Cos we are actually coming the weekend before 5th so it will be around another month before we are up again, maybe even half term.

if perhaps this is of any use - discuss amongst yourselves and fill me in!!!

[RichmondHens]

Thanks Bramble, have PM'd you.