Birds for meat and egg

[Tom n Sky 16]

Alright

 

Just wondered if any of you could advice on what chicken to get that would be good for both meat and egg production?

Starting off with say 5 birds.

I would also like 2 banty hens and a cock, i would be interested in using a banty hen to raise some quail, any ideas which would be a good broody? I like the silver sebrights.

 

I have never kept chickens before, all info will be appreciated

[forest of dean redneck 12,023]

i thought with quail you had to incubate them as even a banty would be too big,

but im no expert so wait to be corrected.

[darbo 4,779]

i have got light sussex bantams and they are fantastic broodys. easy to keep and are very productive layers.

[Millet 4,497]

You will hatch the quail no bother but they a far too energetic for the hen's..you are best sticking with incubator's and leccy hen for them little head banger's..

[axle 63]

I keep Barnevelders, good egg layers and make a nice eating bird but looking at crossing some with indian game to see what that produces.

[Tom n Sky 16]

Thanks for the replies.

Money is a bit of an issue, ive heard the cheap incubators are not worth buying so i thought a banty would do the trick. Better have a re think.

[millytheterrier 12]

pal Incubate your quail eggs using an incubator, i wouldnt use a broody from my experience. for meat & eggs - sussex x cornish/indian game or cobbs r best for meat & brown warren hens are good for eggs.

 

milly.

[Paid 935]

I keep Barnevelders, good egg layers and make a nice eating bird but looking at crossing some with indian game to see what that produces.

 

I also keep barnvelders, and they are good layers and good eating. not the best layers, but the best layers do not make good eating.

also had indian game, nice eating birds, but not great layers.

 

I suspect the barnvelder has a fair amount of indian game in there make up already.

[Tom n Sky 16]

Info taken aboard, if broody hens have been tried and tested then thats good enough for me. Incubator it is then, thanks.

 

So what i should be thinking about doing is getting a few good laying birds as mentioned. E.g Brown Warrens

And getting a few good meat birds e.g sussex x indian game.

Using the bantys to incubate and raise the meat chicks.

 

It sounds like a plan

 

Can anybody recommend a good incubator and brooder for the quail? Wouldn't need to hold loads of eggs, maybe 20 - 30.

[axle 63]

I keep Barnevelders, good egg layers and make a nice eating bird but looking at crossing some with indian game to see what that produces.

 

I also keep barnvelders, and they are good layers and good eating. not the best layers, but the best layers do not make good eating.

also had indian game, nice eating birds, but not great layers.

 

I suspect the barnvelder has a fair amount of indian game in there make up already.

Yes they do but i'm hoping to put a little more meat on the breast and keep two flocks, one pure barnevelder and the other a cross just for meat. Did you cross the indian game with your barnevelders ?

[Millet 4,497]

Have a read of this thread regarding the quail..

 

http://www.thehuntinglife.com/forums/topic/215299-partridge/page__hl__partridge__fromsearch__1

[Paid 935]

I never did Axle, but i recon the cross will be sound, both good hardy birds.

I prefer the indian game, but prefer more eggs too.

[darbo 4,779]

go on www.castlefarmeggs.co.uk. the fella crossed australorp with indian game and progressed on. a intresting read. a good table bird and the pullets laying 5 eggs per week.

[axle 63]

I never did Axle, but i recon the cross will be sound, both good hardy birds.

I prefer the indian game, but prefer more eggs too.

I will give it a try this year and see what they are like, had thought about running a few indian game hens with the barnevelders, that way i could easily seperate the meat bird eggs and wouldn't really take up any extra space, depends if they lay enough eggs.

[axle 63]

go on www.castlefarmeggs.co.uk. the fella crossed australorp with indian game and progressed on. a intresting read. a good table bird and the pullets laying 5 eggs per week.

 

I actually read that the other day when i was trying to track down some decent indian game, interesting read although i spend alot of time looking at my poultry and like something that looks pretty too