Bielefelder

[wenracr]

Has anyone had any experiences with the Bielefelder as a meat bird? Good? Bad? Mediocre?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Has anyone had any experiences with the Bielefelder as a meat bird? Good? Bad? Mediocre?

Hi there, hope you're enjoying BYC!

I've got my first batch of Bielefelder growing out right now at about 3.5 weeks. Overall, I'm very impressed even though they are hatchery sourced. I can't yet speak to the meat quality or size and age I prefer processing. So far their growth rate, hardiness, and intelligence are good. They are already doing fine on pasture at 50 degrees during the day when sun is shining, that's a little cool still when it's cloudy.

I didn't think I would like the autosexing and knowing who the boys were so early since they will mostly be eaten. But it's actually pretty fantastic.

Other breeds that were decent eats were Wyandotte and Marans. Orps and Brahma were WAY to slow and not special... for ME.

My early assessment of Bielefelder as meat birds... is good.

 

[wenracr]

Hi there, hope you're enjoying BYC!

I've got my first batch of Bielefelder growing out right now at about 3.5 weeks. Overall, I'm very impressed even though they are hatchery sourced. I can't yet speak to the meat quality or size and age I prefer processing. So far their growth rate, hardiness, and intelligence are good. They are already doing fine on pasture at 50 degrees during the day when sun is shining, that's a little cool still when it's cloudy.

I didn't think I would like the autosexing and knowing who the boys were so early since they will mostly be eaten. But it's actually pretty fantastic.

Other breeds that were decent eats were Wyandotte and Marans. Orps and Brahma were WAY to slow and not special... for ME.

My early assessment of Bielefelder as meat birds... is good.

Thank you very much for the information, I truly appreciate it! Mine are from a private breeder, so I'm praying the meat quality will be good. I do know that they lay well even in colder months and in colder climates, so you should be golden. We live in Florida, therefore; that won't really be a plus factor for us.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I do know that they lay well even in colder months and in colder climates, so you should be golden. We live in Florida, therefore; that won't really be a plus factor for us.

Ah, that means they should lay well with diminished light... cold really is not a factor... but happens to correlate usually with decreased day length.

Hope you like them as much as I do, so far...

 

[wenracr]

That is correct. I tend to overlook things like that due to being in sunny Florida; where flip flops are the normal attire leaving behind permanent sun-tanned feet

 

[GlennLee]

I've had Bielefelders for two years now and I hatched out some Bielefelder and Bielefelder RIR mixed chicks last year. I processed 15 cockerels and put them in the freezer. Half were 18 weeks and half were 22 weeks. I have used them for soup, slow cooking them in seasoned water until tender. For my purposes, the 18 week birds were too small. The 22 week birds weighed in dressed between 3.5 and 4 lbs. They were VERY flavorful and tender.

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

I just got Bielefelder chicks and this has been helpful! Thanks for starting this thread @wenracr !

 

[GlennLee]

I just got Bielefelder chicks and this has been helpful! Thanks for starting this thread @wenracr !

I have really enjoyed them - their temperament, coloring, ability to autosex and their dual purpose. I bred, sold and gave some away and now have my main flock roo Wilhelm and three hens: Freida, Gerta and Herta. Yes, German names....

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

I just named my 8 today! Baron, Ludwig, Lotte, Olive, Miriam, Lena, Heidi, and Hedwig.

 

[GlennLee]

Great names and your chicks are so adorable! I just love chick pics and you have lots of females. FYI - Their eggs are a good size and are a pretty light colored brown - a bit on the peachy side.