American Bresse

[canesisters]

I was doing some research on cornish X and stumbled across some info on American Bresse.
Does anyone know anything about this breed?
They are supposed to be almost as fast growing as cornishX - ready in 16weeks instead of 12. Averaging about the same weight at processing. BUT, supposedly the meat is more flavorful because of 'marbling' in the breast meat. ? AND sustainable because they're a pure breed instead of a hybrid. And are considered to be good layers.

There's going to be someone at Gilmanor in May with them. She's making a wait list for chicks that she'll plan to bring to the sale.

They're considered rare here. Based off of the French breed from imported stock. I'm just curious if they might be worth the 'investment' to be - eventually - able to have a flock of egg layers that, with the help of a broody or two, could raise a reasonable flock of meat birds each summer.

 

[Mini Horses]

They're calm & friendly. Do not have the "death" issues of CCX. Also, not as big, as soon to butcher. However the marbling is from feeding them extra ( usually some cracked corn) last 30 days before butcher. I've considered a few and incubate or broody hen some eggs. Not many around but have located a couple breeders in NC...2+ hr. Still thinking on it.

I'm wondering "why"? Do I really want to start harvesting again? Do I need a bunch of chickens? Would I be better off, just keeping half doz, incubate eggs to sell chicks? No one in area who does -- so, worth my time?

That's my dilemma

 

[fuzzi]

They're calm & friendly. Do not have the "death" issues of CCX. Also, not as big, as soon to butcher. However the marbling is from feeding them extra ( usually some cracked corn) last 30 days before butcher. I've considered a few and incubate or broody hen some eggs. Not many around but have located a couple breeders in NC...2+ hr. Still thinking on it.

I'm wondering "why"? Do I really want to start harvesting again? Do I need a bunch of chickens? Would I be better off, just keeping half doz, incubate eggs to sell chicks? No one in area who does -- so, worth my time?

That's my dilemma

Where in NC?

 

[Baymule]

They sound intriguing. I’ve read about them, never seen one. I can tell you, raising the CCX, 2 months and I’m done. But they are hard work, intensive hard work. But worth it to me because I have several customers that pay me well. Plus I’m able to supply my daughter and family with meat.

The American Bresse sound like a much better breed, especially for a small homesteader, wanting eggs and meat. Most dual purpose chickens take 6-8 months to fill out and still have a hatchet breast. To me, dual purpose is a misnomer, yeah you get eggs and meat, but by the time they are butcher size, you got a lot of time and feed money in them and the reward (meat) isn’t that great.

I say go for it. Make a thread for them so the details don’t get lost in your journal. Anytime you hatch out chicks, there is unwanted roosters. But in this breed, those roosters are desirable, can be separated and fed out for slaughter.

It seems the demand for this breed is greater than the supply, so there’s the avenue of selling chicks. That could have the possibility of paying for the feed, or at least helping.

 

[Mini Horses]

Dual breed used to mean you had eggs and a decent body for those Sunday chicken dinners, company coming dinners and some canning ones for old hens or spare roos. Or a few to sell at a local market. The old days.

Now you have hybrids for a yr or 2 of eggs, barely any body size -- OR CCX that only live to grow so fast it'll kill them if you don't.

None of the options are bad. It's more about selecting what you personally need or want. Bay, you have an excellent set up. If I did, it would make me consider that....here, I can grow tomatoes & sell at auction for decent $$. It's the area market.

I'd be raising CCX just for me. I have eggs that I give away but, chickens do more for me than lay eggs. . If I ever fully retire, might reconsider things. I haven't even milked this year -- thinking about that, too!!! may be "aging out" But almost time to wean kids off.

 

[Mini Horses]

@fuzzi I googled it...somewhere below you, thinking around Washington. Actually email each but, no reply

 

[fuzzi]

@fuzzi I googled it...somewhere below you, thinking around Washington. Actually email each but, no reply

I found two breeders in western NC (5-7 hours away), and this one about a 2 hour drive:

Fat Chicken Farm

The Wagyu of Chicken. Fat Chicken Farm LLC raises American Bresse chickens on 14 acres of pasture. We offer meat, hatching eggs and day old chicks for sale. Capons available by reservation. Located in North Carolina.

fatchickenfarmllc.com

 

[canesisters]

Ooooh are you going to get some?
I asked the lady I've been in contact with to put me on her list for gilmanor chicks (off heat).

 

[Baymule]

I found two breeders in western NC (5-7 hours away), and this one about a 2 hour drive:

Fat Chicken Farm

The Wagyu of Chicken. Fat Chicken Farm LLC raises American Bresse chickens on 14 acres of pasture. We offer meat, hatching eggs and day old chicks for sale. Capons available by reservation. Located in North Carolina.

fatchickenfarmllc.com

Have you left yet????

 

[Mini Horses]

Oddly, I got a text from them today $10.per chick, min 10 & max 25. April chicks.
3.5 hr from me, 193 miles. Of course, they ship.