A few meaties for small backyard?

[Frithest]

I've thought of doing this as well. We have four hens for eggs and are allowed eight chickens all together. As someone else said, since they'd be indoors for the first few weeks, we could start a batch inside, move them out a month later, and get four more chicks then, a month later process the first batch and move the second outside. I went to a butchering session a month or so ago and yes, it was a lot of work for what you get, and not cheap to raise the chickens, but we eat chicken several times a week, and I would so rather it was a bird I had grown myself. My concern lies in how to keep two flocks separate and healthy in close proximity to each other - the hens free-range when we're home during the day. There a lot of predators in my neighborhood, so housing security is a concern. I'm not up for building a second coop yet, but a tractor wouldn't be secure enough. Til I'm over the hump it'll stay a dream of mine, but I'm glad to hear someone else is on this track too.

 

[Chick Charm]

You CAN successfully raise meaties in your back yard. Last year in Pheonix I did batches in 5's. I can get Cornish X's for $2 per bird at the feed stores in Pheonix and can get them for $2.50 in San Diego. In San Diego the Cornish X'x as well as others are available virtually year round at the feed stores. The other day I saw about 1000 chicks at the feed store in San Diego.

I prefer to raise them in smaller batches for several reasons, one of which is freezer space. The other is I don't like to butcher more than 2 or three at a time for freshness sake if I'm not going to freeze. I usually let them rest for 2 or three days but have eaten them off the grill same day as butchered.

I raised the meaties in my custom garden pen.

 

[Chick Charm]

Meaties get really stinky/smelly fast so I usually put them out at two weeks old. I have done both 12 on 12 off with the feed and also let them eat as much as they want. I recommend a tractor as well if you have grass you can let them out on. They get HUGE fast if you let let them gorge themselves.

This is a simple illustration of one I built for a small batch of meaties being moved about in you small back yard.

 

[Chick Charm]

Sorry for the miss paste.