Fluffy1804
In the Brooder
- May 5, 2020
- 13
- 8
- 26
I know this conversation comes up every now and then, but thought I'd ask about it again. We raised 26 Freedom Rangers this summer, and they turned out great. We've kept back 6 hens and a rooster because the hens were starting to lay, and my laying pullets still had a month or two to go before they began. My layers are starting to produce now, so we planned on processing the Rangers this weekend (Except for two of the hens because they've become part of the family. They're by far the sweetest girls in my flock.)
I have the room to keep them separated from my layers, and I've considered trying to breed the rooster to some of the better hens we still have. I know they won't breed true since they're hybrids, but has anyone tried this? What kind of results did you have? I just like the idea of having a steady supply of meat birds without having to order them every time - or do large batches all at once. Even if they don't grow quite as fast or as big as the "pure" Freedom Rangers you can get at a hatchery, I think it'd be an interesting experiment. Any thoughts or advice would be great.
Thanks!
I have the room to keep them separated from my layers, and I've considered trying to breed the rooster to some of the better hens we still have. I know they won't breed true since they're hybrids, but has anyone tried this? What kind of results did you have? I just like the idea of having a steady supply of meat birds without having to order them every time - or do large batches all at once. Even if they don't grow quite as fast or as big as the "pure" Freedom Rangers you can get at a hatchery, I think it'd be an interesting experiment. Any thoughts or advice would be great.
Thanks!