cockerels | Better Hens and Gardens

Heritage Birds for Real Chicken Flavor

It’s time to process the 11 Buckeye roosters that didn’t make the cut; and although that’s not exactly pleasant, I’m expecting big things from the meals they’ll be featured in. That’s because heritage birds like the Buckeyes have something that today’s supermarket birds don’t – they have flavor.

The commercial chickens grown for meat today have been bred to reach a marketable size in confined space within 9 weeks, thereby maximizing throughput and minimizing costs. If these birds are kept for more than 9 weeks, losses from disease and health issues are high – they have simply been bred for fast [...]

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The Buckeyes Are Laying!

The Buckeyes are 27 weeks old today; and a couple of the 14 hens have begun laying. The eggs seem so tiny compared to the Red Comet eggs (at an average of 2 1/4 ounces); however, they weigh in at 1 3/8 ounces, slightly larger than the weight of the Comets first eggs (they were 1 1/4 ounce).

It’s been a great journey with these birds – from the little tiny day-old hatchlings, to the growing pullets and cockerels, and finally the fully grown hens and roosters. It’s so exciting to finally have the flock all in the coop and laying. They’ve matured into wonderful birds for the backyard; friendly, inquisitive, and just great to have around. [...]

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