Over the last few weeks, we've spent a lot of time at local farmers' markets in the Beeville and Corpus Christi areas. We've enjoyed visiting customers, receiving their feedback and answering questions.
One of the questions that often comes up is the breed of chicken we raise.
When we started out on this new venture, we knew we wanted to something that set us apart. We did a lot of research on the type of birds used for meat production and after much consideration we decided on the Kosher King.
The Kosher King breed is a hybrid that originates from the Barred Rock and a Sussex. The 1st difference you will notice about this breed is their appearance. They are typically black and white or gold in color and are much larger than the Cornish Cross which most people in the industry raise.
The other differences may not be as easy to see from the buyer's view. One of the main reasons we chose this breed was their natural growth rate. The Kosher King breed takes on average 10-12 weeks to grow out. This is a much lengthier process than a Cornish Cross which averages 8 weeks.
They are also natural foragers which allows them to peck the ground looking for grass, worms and other insects as chickens were intended to do. They will supplement their diet this way when given the opportunity to roam and access to plenty of fresh grass.
One of the differences that customers comment on the most is the size of our processed chickens. Our averages whole bird is around 4-5 lbs., much larger than your average grocery store bird that is usually 2-3 lbs. The main reason for this is their longer growth rate and foraging nature.
While all of these things set them apart, the main difference you will notice is the flavor. Kosher Kings are known for some of the most delicious and flavorful meat you can find. And they haven't disappointed us yet. We are always receiving positive feedback from new and existing customers regarding the difference in the flavor of the meat.
Give it a try if you haven't already, we don't think you will be disappointed.
