Pioneer meat birds- the good, the bad and the very, very ugly

Gosh, i've had quite a good experience with them. I got a few Pioneers from MMM. Two roos and a hen. I love them. They're big and grew fairly fast, but didn't have leg or health issues like some of the CXs i've had in the past. Mine are docile and pretty friendly. They don't fly and aren't stupid, IMO. They're also free ranging well. They get along with the other chickens just fine and haven't shown any aggressive behavior. To top it off, they are pretty to look at and have unique color. I just ordered four more so we'll see how the next ones turn out, but so far, I am really liking these birds.

I have had similar experience as you, they free range just fine, get along with all the other poultry, I have F1 and F2, the F2 have bred true, lets see how the F3's do, The second generation has grown and finished out at the same rate and weight as the F1s, so i am hoping for a sustainable bird for the farm, they lay like laying monsters.
 
Does anyone have any pioneer chicks for sale?? I'm looking for some and haven't been to locate them. Mcmurray hatchery is not hatching them anymore this year
 
Do you know if they are similar to the freedom rangers at freedom ranger hatchery? Bout the only place I can find them at. Thanks!
 
I have heard the Pioneers compared to Dixie Rainbows but my Dixie Rainbow matured slowly, as do their offspring who were crossed with Barred Rock.
The hens are 11 and 12 pounds. They rule the other birds but nothing more than chasing them off of a treat. Never had a bird killed by my other birds.
They love to free range and they love wading on hot days.
Lots of big eggs and the meat is plentiful and delicious.
I had to stop hatching eggs because I have too many birds so I can't ship chicks but I'll ship eggs from them and their offspring.
The cross has produced a nice variety of fascinating genetic throwbacks in the 2nd generation, along with about 50% breeding true to the first generation Rainbow Rock cross, shown here with her Dixie Rainbow mother.

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A few of my 5 hatches have produced boys like some of the multicolor roosters shown in this thread.

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But my favorite are the white sports which are going into a new project of their own.

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