Are more people raising meaties?

[mstricer]

I'm starting to believe a lot more are now raising them now. This is my third year and is the hardest year to get them. Usually I can call Meyer a few days to a week and be able to get them, not this year. They are now shipping on Wednesday's also. I did finally get a order but not until 5/30. I think others know now, what we've known.

 

[shadowmane]

I wonder if ordering meaties from local hatcheries that hatch them for production would be a better way to go. I know that there are quite a few in the next county over here in NC. Have you checked around to see if there are any production hatcheries in your area?

 

[mstricer]

Is that where they only specialize in meaties. If it is just a try hatchery that does a different breeds. Meyer hatchery is the closet to me and I don't have to pay shipping, because they are down the road. I am excited though, its my first batch this year, and for some odd reason I can't wait to see their little bald bottoms

 

[shadowmane]

Yeah. Some get their chickens from Tyson, or Cobb, or Hubbard, or any of the other proprietary guys. Some of them will sell chicks to you, others are barred from doing it by the company. You just have to ask around.

 

[mstricer]

Yeah I don't know of any here in Ohio. Wish I did.

 

[OHSpartan]

To your OP....I, for one, am increased competition for you. This is our first venture and I am amazed, shocked at the number of my friends that have backyard chickens. Most of them I would have never guessed, either from stereotyping their personalities or locations the live (suburbia, etc.). Most of them started with egg-layers and are now raising a half-dozen or so meat birds. So, yes, locally in Ohio it seems to be a growing trend.

 

[BigSkyChickens]

My friends and I had to scramble to get our Welp order in by May 2........for shipping on June 6!

This spring our feed store got 60 Cornish X vs. 15 last year. That's a feed store in a suburb of San Francisco.

Organic chicken is so freakishly expensive here in CA, we decided it would be cheaper to raise them ourselves. And it was: $3.69 / lb. vs. $5 - $7 / lb.!

Plus it's nice to know they never have to be transported in crates (Ours get transported in loving arms to the cone hanging from the clothesline).

 

[4-H chicken mom]

I went through the same thing last year with Meyer, so this year, I ordered mine in Feb for an April 16th pick up date. Next year it may be in Jan.

 

[jdc]

I raise our meaties within 30 feet from a golfcouse fairway, sometimes within 50 yards from a green.

I forgot to order this year and could only get hens from Meyer for the date that I wanted.

 

[Life is Good!]

Yes, I think more and more people are awakening to what 'industrialized' food has become. And if there are choices, why not take advantage of them?!

Our family-tree hasn't grown a chicken in nearly 20 years (DH's grandparents sold their farm at age 78 in 1992). In a sense, we are returning to our roots of agriculture. My family tree hasn't plucked a chicken since 1946! So I have no experience, nor anyone to teach me, except all of you and youtube! (Thank you!).

However, with our interest in self-sustainability in all things (DH's and mine) - raising our own meat birds is a natural extension that is allowed by building code. Although I'm really pushing the limits with these meat birds. In many ways, I see it as a growth beyond just gardening (edible landscaping, veggie gardens) and foraging (i.e. grapes, wild edibles and maple syrup making). I'm providing for my family in a way that is completely traditional or natural or whatever you want to call it - it just makes SENSE!

There is a growing 'back to the land' kind of movement underway...forums like this make it possible for education to grow, possibilities to be imagined and results to be obtained! Thank you BYC!