I am looking around for some slower growing birds. I tried Naked Necks this year and biggest bird at 14 weeks was 4.12 lbs and smallest was 2.7. For the length of time to grow out I was hoping to have a lot more birds closer to the 4lb mark and my avg was 3.22 lbs. 100 birds free ranged and at 1 ton of feed in 14 weeks.
I also am finishing out some Freedom Rangers which I have had some bad luck with. Lot's of losses but what I have currently looks like my avg weights should easily be in the 4+lb range with some in the high 5's. I like them a lot but again the amount of feed they eat even though they free ranged the inside of the tractors daily looked like I was keeping CX in there all day.
I am looking at the Rainbow from S&G as I can keep the hens for layers and can breed out and process the roos. They are saying the roos will reach market weight at 12 weeks. Anybody out there raise them and have any input?
They also have their own breed of Rangers which look nothing like JM Hatchery FR. They say these are 12 - 14 week to reach market weight but don't breed true. They say you can keep a roo to breed with other birds but not a hen and roo of the Ranger.
Thoughts???
I also am finishing out some Freedom Rangers which I have had some bad luck with. Lot's of losses but what I have currently looks like my avg weights should easily be in the 4+lb range with some in the high 5's. I like them a lot but again the amount of feed they eat even though they free ranged the inside of the tractors daily looked like I was keeping CX in there all day.
I am looking at the Rainbow from S&G as I can keep the hens for layers and can breed out and process the roos. They are saying the roos will reach market weight at 12 weeks. Anybody out there raise them and have any input?
They also have their own breed of Rangers which look nothing like JM Hatchery FR. They say these are 12 - 14 week to reach market weight but don't breed true. They say you can keep a roo to breed with other birds but not a hen and roo of the Ranger.
Thoughts???