The Freys Dual purpose broilers are doing so well on pasture. Moving the tractor is a breeze because they actually get up and move around, the feed costs are phenomenally minimal, and their weights are definitely on track for a September butcher (we got these in mid May). It’s early days but in trying to figure out a more sustainable option/ alternative to Cornish crosses, I am pretty sold on these so far.
Zero losses in chicks or birds whereas in the Cornish crosses, 10 percent loss is normal (And it sucks-I hate losing animals ). It makes the increased chick cost of the dual purpose ($5.85/ day old ), level out to be about the same chick cost as the CornishX (2.35/ day old), especially when you factor in fed rations for older birds when they go “off their feet “ or have heart issues and need to be dispatched.
Butchering them will be when the rubber hits the road for ease. I’ve dispatched young roosters and old layers before and they are difficult sometimes, i.e.getting your hand in the cavity, etc
And it’s just a hunch, but I feel the nutrition quality of the Dual purpose is going to be superior -longer in the sunshine, longer development of that beautiful yellow schmaltz, and better development of the collagen in the bones?
It’s early days to talk breeding and incubation but I like there is that option whereas CornishX can’t be bred naturally/easily by the backyard breeder for sustainability.
I’ll keep you posted .
Update :
We processed 12 of the 20 of the Freys dual purpose and kept one rooster and 7 hens for breeding purposes.
The feed cost savings were substantial. The dual purpose chickens forage a lot more and don’t just sit and eat, and hence, poop.
The color of their fat while processing was a deep beautiful yellow (known as schmaltz) I know will make delicious broth and juicy roast chicken.
The downside was way more feathers which jammed up the plucker. Also they are a lot more feisty. They don’t just sit there like Cornish crosses. That means going in before first light on the morning of processing to put them in cages makes for less stress on everyone.
When you consider the nutrient density of the meat of the dual purpose chickens at 4 1/2 months as opposed to 2 months of the Cornish, the lack of health issues, the diminished losses, the sustainability and the food cost savings, means I’m choosing these dual purpose breeds every time. Even with an increased chick cost, it came out better in the end.
Are you getting ready to put in a chicken order ? Consider Freys Dual Purpose.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again : you will be pleasantly surprised how much better a heritage dual purpose chicken tastes over a Cornish cross meat hen.
The broiler situation and current landscape of commercially raised chickens is a house of cards. And we the consumer are on the bottom every time.
We have choices. Don’t forget that.
Love,
Jenn xx
PS : if you’d like to read more on the subject of chickens and food density, read “The End of Craving “ by Mark Schatzker. I highly recommend it.