Do you have any idea of the timelines to get each of these crosses to table size (average 5.5 pounds dressed)? I want to do meat birds this year but as I'm moving towards doing it as a business I'm looking for a fast yet sustainable alternative to the meat kings. There is a breeder of rangers but she won't have any chicks for me until at least May, and so far it's looking like her ability to keep me in steady supply - especially as my business grows - will be problematic (I tried getting chicks off her last fall, too, but she was back-ordered and being forced to shut down for winter). So, her aside, my only option is the cornish cross and even those I can't get until mid-april. And, quite frankly, I'm afraid to invest in them after all the reading and stories and such! IF such a thing were possible - and I believe anything is possible - I would like to build my own breeding stock for a good, slower-growing (but not TOO slow) meat bird.
