Buying a bunch of roosters as fryers???

[Papaw-John]

I was thinking somebody has suggested I buy a bunch of fryers on special and just raise them for meat. But, I can't find where they said that, so it must have been in one of the many threads I have been reading. Can't find it.
How many would I have to buy to get a good deal on a bunch of rooster chicks? I do not live anywhere near a hatchery (I sure wish I did!)
Who has good deals on orders like this shipping included?

 

[The Moonshiner]

Ideal hatchery is in Cameron, TX.
I don't do meat birds but I know all winter long they have specials on different breeds and I remember seeing Cornish cross for like $1.10 each at one point.
No idea what specials they have on cockerel only orders during the active months but if check them out.
Always seems they have the best prices for a hatchery.

 

[Papaw-John]

Ideal hatchery is in Cameron, TX.
I don't do meat birds but I know all winter long they have specials on different breeds and I remember seeing Cornish cross for like $1.10 each at one point.
No idea what specials they have on cockerel only orders during the active months but if check them out.
Always seems they have the best prices for a hatchery.

I was excited when you listed the Hatchery in Texas. I thought it would be great to be able to drive there and pick my order up. Then I looked them up. It is over 440 miles round trip to go there. Texas is kinda Big sometimes. I will have to order any chicks.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

https://www.meyerhatchery.com/productinfo.a5w?prodID=FPBM

Meyers is worth a look! My shipping route has lost SOOO many chicks... but meyers chicks arrived in great condition and their shipping price is VERY acceptable. Plus wow, if you got room for a bunch they go as low as $o.34 each... I can't even hatch my own eggs that cheap!

California is also a pretty good size state. It would take pretty special birds to wanna drive 440 miles. My farthest was 3 hours each way, so not QUITE that far.

 

[Austradork1819]

I don't know if this works everywhere, but my local family farm and home store ordered me some black australorp roosters for a buck apiece. No shipping.
I also found a connection on my local Craigslist to buy straight run barnyard chicks for a buck apiece.
Just a couple possibilities for you.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I also found a connection on my local Craigslist to buy straight run barnyard chicks for a buck apiece.

Good options and suggestions.

I would personally NOT go with the craigslist one for fear of bringing unknown disease that passes through even to the eggs onto my property, though.

A $ a piece isn't bad, if they are good meat mixes. But hate to get a bunch of leghorn or Silkie mix females if the goal is meat. It cost me probably $0.80 each to hatch my own.

If I can't sell off my extra grow out culls... this may be the first year we process and eat pullets... We have our first old hens in the freezer now.

Good luck, it's a worthy adventure!

 

[Papaw-John]

https://www.meyerhatchery.com/productinfo.a5w?prodID=FPBM

Meyers is worth a look! My shipping route has lost SOOO many chicks... but meyers chicks arrived in great condition and their shipping price is VERY acceptable. Plus wow, if you got room for a bunch they go as low as $o.34 each... I can't even hatch my own eggs that cheap!

California is also a pretty good size state. It would take pretty special birds to wanna drive 440 miles. My farthest was 3 hours each way, so not QUITE that far.

Oh My! That is so tempting! $44 for 100 fryers, including shipping..... Then I tried to imagine what 100 rooster would sound like!

What would be the minimum setup to raise 100 roosters for 6 month? I am not set up for such a task!

 

[RUNuts]

Good morning,
We also have https://windymeadowshatchery.com/ in Campbell. It is only 250 miles one way. These are CX but for $1.30 delivered. They taste good. Planning on another batch in the fall.

Sign up for Ideal's email list and they send you specials all year long. I think the lowest was $2 + shipping. Figure $3 a chick.

My feed store will order chicks for no added shipping IF he is placing an order. Only happens during the spring and this week was his last. Check local.

100 roosters. I can only imagine the crowing contests in the morning.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Oh My! That is so tempting! $44 for 100 fryers, including shipping..... Then I tried to imagine what 100 rooster would sound like!

What would be the minimum setup to raise 100 roosters for 6 month? I am not set up for such a task!

Well, they don't all start at the same time. And you don't have to go a full 6 months, I don't. Maybe split an order with someone on Craigslist farm and garden section? And harvest the ones that mature fastest or act out otherwise first. We don't have the ability to harvest or store that kinda meat at once... in addition to grow out space you mention. There are a lot of antics that go on is stag pens. And such varied growth rates. There's sure to be some early mortality that they will reimburse you from shipping. But yes, I would NOT want to raise 100 cockerels at the same time. The other day... processing day, all the boys (12, ok some) were in kennels out front crowing it up. Recently lost my head rooster... and oh no, my 2 year old Barred Rock hen started crowing! But the next batch of boys has already began testing their vocal chords as well.... at 12 weeks. And I had one Silkie boy that crowed as early as 4 weeks. Thing is it's often monkey see chicken do, so I hope none of my other hens follow suit! It still sounds like she is finding her voice, and funny. But come on that's all I need is more crowing.

$1.30 delivered is a pretty good price, depending on the minimum.

ETA: you might not be able to chew a 24 week old bird. I think it's just called fry pan special but you should harvest at a time appropriate for you and your method of cooking, your available space, and other related things. Good luck!

 

[Papaw-John]

I never should have started this thread!

https://www.meyerhatchery.com/productinfo.a5w?prodID=FPBM

Meyers is worth a look! My shipping route has lost SOOO many chicks... but meyers chicks arrived in great condition and their shipping price is VERY acceptable. Plus wow, if you got room for a bunch they go as low as $o.34 each... I can't even hatch my own eggs that cheap!

California is also a pretty good size state. It would take pretty special birds to wanna drive 440 miles. My farthest was 3 hours each way, so not QUITE that far.

I never should have started this thread! I blame you EggSighted4Life
I think I am going to order the 100 rooster special for $0.34 each ($10 Shipping) I am going to raise them according to this Virginia Tech Document
https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/2902/2902-1083/2902-1083_pdf.pdf
I am also going to buy 6 female White Leghorn pullets. I will experiment with crossing them with a few select big roosters from the 100. It should be fun. The White Leghorns will be separate from the Roosters in my main coop and run.

I need to stay away from here until I place my order, or I will be persuaded no telling how many time to change my mind on what I do. I will keep running from one idea to the other!

Thank you so much for the input. If my wife finds out where I get these ideas, she will block this site!