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  1. zebradreams07

    California Tan from TSC

    That sounds plausible. Maybe they had a specific line that was laying eggs with a slight tint but still productive so they rebranded them.
  2. zebradreams07

    California Tan from TSC

    Came here with the same question about the California Tans. I was guessing they're a similar hybrid to the Whites since the chicks look the same, but if they're new this year I guess no one has any experience with them.
  3. zebradreams07

    California Tan from TSC

    Sometimes it's just bad luck. Last time a friend and I got a large batch of chicks from a small, reputable hatchery we've bought from before, and they all looked fine on arrival but we lost a couple dozen within 24 hours. Hatchery guessed they were mishandled at the post office; it was late in...
  4. zebradreams07

    Ranger breeding project

    It's a local blend - my partner picks it up directly from the mill. Whole grain, no corn/soy, probiotics. I'm experimenting with fermenting it too - the pigs love theirs that way, and they're SO fat and shiny! The birds also get treats like mealworms and minnows, plus whatever they forage. My...
  5. zebradreams07

    Ranger breeding project

    Not if I want to breed them for generations! I love my current Rangers.
  6. zebradreams07

    Ranger breeding project

    Well, I'm not trying to supply gourmet restaurants. My goal is to create a sustainable breed for small producers/homesteads - and if my eggs are any indication, my feed makes for excellent flavor.
  7. zebradreams07

    Ranger breeding project

    Ewww, I can't stand naked necks!
  8. zebradreams07

    Ranger breeding project

    Not picky? IMHO any home raised bird is a big improvement over store bought, and alternative breeds far more flavorful than Cornish - especially on premium feed and free ranged, so they have a wider variety in their diet.
  9. zebradreams07

    Ranger breeding project

    Well, I have both. Most of the Reds turned out to be cockerels but one is a nice breeding candidate, and there's two pullets. I've got my eye on what's hopefully another cockerel in my youngest group of Freedoms, since there weren't any great ones in the oldest batch - although I have kept one...
  10. zebradreams07

    Ranger breeding project

    Oh, that's an idea. It's not like it needs to be very bright just to trigger their biological clock. I have one I bought years ago; I think it quit working but it was really cheap. I could put one in both coops so I'm not running cords out in the rain. Thanks!
  11. zebradreams07

    Ranger breeding project

    I'll have my layers under light since egg sales have been good, but I don't know if it's feasible for the meat birds. As it is I have extension cords run to most places I need it, and the makeshift coop for the breeding pen isn't at the barn. If I'm able to move it or put in permanent lighting...
  12. zebradreams07

    Ranger breeding project

    That depends on if they're laying though. Not much I can do if they aren't.
  13. zebradreams07

    Ranger breeding project

    Yes, I'm planning to have two. Right now I have one picked out from my "red" ranger batch, and I'm planning to keep another from this larger group of "freedom" once they're big enough to tell sex and quality. Hopefully they'll get along - I usually have a one rooster policy, but I want to have...
  14. zebradreams07

    Freedom Rangers - I will give you the true story-

    Hmm. My freedoms are pretty tall birds - they don't resemble Cornish in the slightest. I just butchered my first and it looks closer to what I'd expect from layer breeds - large legs, not so much breast. But reached about the same size as my standard hens in 12 weeks! So far it's looking like...
  15. zebradreams07

    Freedom Rangers - I will give you the true story-

    After reading this, I'm curious what happened as far as the proprietary names? I've bought birds under both the Freedom Ranger and Red Ranger names this year, so the Freedom Ranger name must have been transferred, but with a split at some time and other hatcheries selling as Reds. So far they...
  16. zebradreams07

    Ranger breeding project

    Oof, I got busy and this thread went crazy! I'll try to catch up on everything later, but here's my plan at this point: I just got my third group of ranger chicks - I have some from two different hatcheries, so far they seem the same. Out of the older ones I have nine pullets and one keeper...
  17. zebradreams07

    Ranger breeding project

    Certainly sounds like Cornish X, but remember they're a proprietary hybrid from commercial hatcheries - local breeders would only have them if they're reselling. And F1 won't breed true even if both parents are Cornish X, so no one can just reproduce more. I'm planning to mostly do Ranger x...
  18. zebradreams07

    Ranger breeding project

    Well, all chickens trace back to some kind of game fowl at one point, but they're pretty much the opposite of a modern meat bird!
  19. zebradreams07

    Ranger breeding project

    AI chickens? Yikes. Have fun with that. You can order rangers online. That's the only way I was able to get them. Looks like I'm getting another batch in a few weeks :-)
  20. zebradreams07

    Ranger breeding project

    I'm also not interested in perpetuating any physical defects, regardless of what effect they have on progeny. There's usually health consequences that go with, even if they aren't noticeable at first. I'm not trying to create fat monsters like Cornish X at any rate; going the usual route to...
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