Advice needed on growing packing peanuts

[Tweeza]

I received 8 packing peanuts when we got our 6 ducklings. So now we are growing these unknown, most likely, roosters. We don't really have the facilities for them for long. Right now they are under the chicken tractor coop which has plenty of room for them right now but I'm not sure for how long. So here is my question, in another month or so can I let them free range with my 10 mo pullets and eat the food they eat? I know they should have higher protein but won't be able to keep the food separated. I'm guessing by then they'll be able to eat pellets (their dob is 5/27/09). So, will this work? I know that they won't be the plump friers that they possibly could be but am okay with a bird that will make great soup stock. Did I just answer my question?

Thanks

 

[Sillystunt]

1 roo to 10 hens...atleast that's what i was told...starter until the hens lay their first egg and layer after that. roo's i have no clue but i would guess the same?? maybe, not sure oh heck IDK

packing peanuts are always roo's

 

[Judy]

Quote:
I think so.

They won't be plump fryers, like what is in the grocery store, you are right. But they will be excellent small fryers if you raise them to around 12-16 weeks. They will be 2-2.5 lbs, but they will still be tender (if you rest and brine a few hours) and good fried or on the barbecue; no slow cooking required at that age. The breast will be small for the size of the bird. And they will have a much better flavor than store bought.

Or you can let them get full size, maybe 18 weeks, and stew them. You still don't have to waste the meat, just cut it up small and make chicken tacos or casserole or whatever.

 

[Tweeza]

Quote:
I think so.

They won't be plump fryers, like what is in the grocery store, you are right. But they will be excellent small fryers if you raise them to around 12-16 weeks. They will be 2-2.5 lbs, but they will still be tender (if you rest and brine a few hours) and good fried or on the barbecue; no slow cooking required at that age. The breast will be small for the size of the bird. And they will have a much better flavor than store bought.

Or you can let them get full size, maybe 18 weeks, and stew them. You still don't have to waste the meat, just cut it up small and make chicken tacos or casserole or whatever.

So you think the free ranging and eating the hens food until they're 12-16 wks will work?

Thanks for the help

 

[Tweeza]

Quote:
Oh heavens! My husband would kill me if I kept the roos. In fact, I was afraid to tell him we'd probably be getting a few with the ducklings. I'm going to try to talk DH into keeping one but that would be it. The rest will be dinner.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
Sure. That's what I did. We're still processing the extra roos.

Yes, peanuts are usually roos, but remember their sexing is not perfect. You could get half hens!

If you process them fairly early, like 14 weeks or so, you won't hear much if any crowing -- but you might not be real sure who is a roo, either.

One of the old sayings I have read on here: when they crow, they go.

 

[Tweeza]

Quote:
Funny you should say that. I was hoping at least one of them would be a hen. One of the chicks didn't have a yellow spot on its head like the others. Good idea to wait on all of them until they crow.

Thanks

 

[Judy]

You're welcome!

If you have a camera, you might wait 4 or 5 weeks and post pics in the "what breed or gender is this?" section, if you're not sure.

When they crow is nudging up on when they start to get tough. Some breeds are a lot easier to sex by combs, etc. than others. And less dominant roos might not crow for a long time with the lead roo around.

(I'm guessing you're not that familiar with chickens.)

Besides, people seem to view guessing sex and breed as a sport on here!

Best of luck!

 

[Tweeza]

Quote:
Got our first chickens in September. First ducks end of May. Growing up we briefly had a chicken or two but the folks never fixed a coop or anything. They didn't last long.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

I think they're certainly worth raising to enjoy as dinner guests, you could do some early as young fryers and the rest of them when they're fully grown at 20 weeks. Could you find a way to keep them confined for those few months? I've not done a side-by-side comparison, but I think they stay more tender if kept penned in. That way you could also give them chick or game bird starter instead of layer feed. I know you're not supposed to give chicks layer feed because it has more calcium than is good for their kidneys. But I don't know if that would matter with chicks you plan to eat soon.