May Blooms Meat Bird
May blooms meat birds are a hybrid breed created from a mix of heritage breeds. This meat bird is unlike any commercially bred meat bird because it is self sustaining.
Dressed birds weigh in at 4-6.5lbs at 12-13 weeks.
Hens will contribute 160-200 eggs a year.
The May Blooms Meat Bird is intended to fill the gap that I found between heritage breed meat, Bresse meat and commercially bred patented breeds like the Freedom Ranger and Cornish X. The latter two are unsustainable as each year you have to order replacement chicks as the birds that grew out need to be processed prior to an immature death due to excessive breeding focused on rapid growth and size. These birds are bred due to their naturally large stature, thick and sound base in their legs and deep chests to appeal to lovers of tender white meat. The resulting chicks have a naturally quick grow out due to the overall size of the mature bird. They are a large breed chicken, and some will have feathered feet. They will be barred and will be cold hardy due to their single comb and smaller wattles.
the history
We chose this cross, Plymouth Barred Rock X Malines, because of the vigor, temperament and body structure represented in both breeds .
Both are excellent dual purpose birds in their own right, but together they gained the size and tenderness in a short grow out. The hens will make great year round stock as they are cold hardy, large birds who will lay for many years resulting in a sustainable supply of meat birds for your farm or acreage. The resulting excess cockerels make the ideal table bird for roasting but also processing down for cuts.
Their dressed weight is more comparable to that of the commercially raised broiler chicken, with a slightly longer grow out. Raised on pasture and fermented grains and legumes you can drastically decrease the additional costs associated with the longer grow out period.
The more affordable price (than the Bresse) makes them an excellent option for a sustainable meat bird.
