I always enjoy reading people's post comparing these two hybrids in different rearing environments. I figured I would add my two cents in based on what I have observed with my flocks. I don't have any pics of them now but maybe I can get a pic or two in the near future.
My pens are 8'Lx8'W with a 4' tall peak tapering down to 2' tall on the sides. The roof is all solid topped therefore they are pretty heavy pens. Instead of using these pens as tractors and moving them everyday I use them as range huts and just open the door for outside grazing during the day.
My test group this spring at my new place was 25 Cornish X straight run, 26 black sex link roos, 25 straight run Rhode Island Reds, and 25 Welsummer straight runs. All did well. The Cornish X seemed to be of the Frankenbird strain and grew well with VERY little feathering. They were the standardized meat machines that just laid in front of the feeders and waterers and would not leave the pen. They were just typical CX that didn't do much free ranging.
The second batch I got was 100 Cornish X from Schlecht Hatchery in Miles, IA and 100 Freedom Rangers from JM Hatchery. JM shipped the Rangers and all arrived alive. I picked up the CX from Schlecht as they are only 45 minutes from me. I went with Schlecht because of their location, price, and strain. I've seen Schlecht's CX grown out before in confinement and even at 9 weeks they are very active birds that look more like a chicken than the near naked Frankenbirds.
The Freedom Rangers and the Cornish X groups are both 4 weeks old and are both out in the range huts now on 5 acres of mowed pasture. Both groups are growing very well and are surprisingly very active. Both groups are waiting at the door to run out of the pen and eat grass and chase bugs around. I will try to keep this post updated as to the progress of their foraging desire/abilities as they get older and heavier.
I think anyone that has been disappointed with trying to free range their own meatbirds will be very happy with either the Freedom Rangers or Schlecht's CXs. Schlecht is definately priced right at 88 cents per chick (straight run). JM is a little higher but definately well worth the money.
My pens are 8'Lx8'W with a 4' tall peak tapering down to 2' tall on the sides. The roof is all solid topped therefore they are pretty heavy pens. Instead of using these pens as tractors and moving them everyday I use them as range huts and just open the door for outside grazing during the day.
My test group this spring at my new place was 25 Cornish X straight run, 26 black sex link roos, 25 straight run Rhode Island Reds, and 25 Welsummer straight runs. All did well. The Cornish X seemed to be of the Frankenbird strain and grew well with VERY little feathering. They were the standardized meat machines that just laid in front of the feeders and waterers and would not leave the pen. They were just typical CX that didn't do much free ranging.
The second batch I got was 100 Cornish X from Schlecht Hatchery in Miles, IA and 100 Freedom Rangers from JM Hatchery. JM shipped the Rangers and all arrived alive. I picked up the CX from Schlecht as they are only 45 minutes from me. I went with Schlecht because of their location, price, and strain. I've seen Schlecht's CX grown out before in confinement and even at 9 weeks they are very active birds that look more like a chicken than the near naked Frankenbirds.
The Freedom Rangers and the Cornish X groups are both 4 weeks old and are both out in the range huts now on 5 acres of mowed pasture. Both groups are growing very well and are surprisingly very active. Both groups are waiting at the door to run out of the pen and eat grass and chase bugs around. I will try to keep this post updated as to the progress of their foraging desire/abilities as they get older and heavier.
I think anyone that has been disappointed with trying to free range their own meatbirds will be very happy with either the Freedom Rangers or Schlecht's CXs. Schlecht is definately priced right at 88 cents per chick (straight run). JM is a little higher but definately well worth the money.
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