Chronicles of Raising Meat Birds - Modern Broilers, Heritage and Hybrids

[Newyorkrita]

And so the adventure ends for now with a stocked freezer full of great eating.

I really, really enjoyed reading along all thru this. And I loved the pictures. Especially of the birds foraging.

 

[jolenesdad]

And so the adventure ends for now with a stocked freezer full of great eating.

I really, really enjoyed reading along all thru this. And I loved the pictures. Especially of the birds foraging.

Thanks so much! I’ve so enjoyed providing updates!

I’ve got 32 birds left. 15 Cornish cross, 3 Royal Red and 14 Robust white.

They’ll be finished in 3 weeks, with the Royal and Robust at 12 weeks and Cornish at 9, with another update next Thursday!

 

[Newyorkrita]

Good!! We get more updates and pictures.

 

[jolenesdad]

Royal Red Male
9 weeks
Finished weight: 4.98 pounds

Longer breast and more overall a long triangular shape than a Cornish, but the breast definitely looks fuller than a typical ranger. Looks to be a really nice leg to breast ratio and a pretty balanced bird.

 

[Newyorkrita]

That is gonna make a really tasty meal or two.

The leg portions don't look over done either.

 

[Molpet]

Royal Red Male
9 weeks
Finished weight: 4.98 pounds

Longer breast and more overall a long triangular shape than a Cornish, but the breast definitely looks fuller than a typical ranger. Looks to be a really nice leg to breast ratio and a pretty balanced bird.

View attachment 1850159

View attachment 1850160

Nice looking bird

 

[LilyD]

Royal Red Male
9 weeks
Finished weight: 4.98 pounds

Longer breast and more overall a long triangular shape than a Cornish, but the breast definitely looks fuller than a typical ranger. Looks to be a really nice leg to breast ratio and a pretty balanced bird.

View attachment 1850159

View attachment 1850160

It looks amazing you're making me hungry.

 

[Morrigan]

Royal Red Male
9 weeks
Finished weight: 4.98 pounds

Longer breast and more overall a long triangular shape than a Cornish, but the breast definitely looks fuller than a typical ranger. Looks to be a really nice leg to breast ratio and a pretty balanced bird.

View attachment 1850159

View attachment 1850160

Very nice. Let us know how it eats.

I see they sell fertile eggs. I'm going to get some shipped when the weather cools back down.

 

[Bookworm0124]

Started working on my tractor today. The initial plan was to do it 5x5', but I decided to go bigger because why not and it is 5.5x8. Because I decided to go bigger I didn't have enough PVC on hand. I'll be getting that later. I'm going to be doing the sides and a skirt of hardware cloth but I'm undecided on the top. Most of it will be tarped for shade. I may do that part with welded wire and then the exposed part with more hardware cloth.
I have 15 Cornish coming first week of September and may pick some up and some pekins from TSC during chick days. Next spring I want to try Bielefelder I think so I can breed them here. (I think that's the one)

 

[RUNuts]

Started working on my tractor today. The initial plan was to do it 5x5', but I decided to go bigger because why not and it is 5.5x8. Because I decided to go bigger I didn't have enough PVC on hand. I'll be getting that later. I'm going to be doing the sides and a skirt of hardware cloth but I'm undecided on the top. Most of it will be tarped for shade. I may do that part with welded wire and then the exposed part with more hardware cloth.
I have 15 Cornish coming first week of September and may pick some up and some pekins from TSC during chick days. Next spring I want to try Bielefelder I think so I can breed them here. (I think that's the one)

5.5x8 is 44 sq feet.

I ran CX in a 5.5x5.5 = 30 sq feet and 10 birds is a lot of poop. Fine for 2-4 weeks, then wow. Any more and moving twice a day is recommended. These guys will stomp the grass flat and poop all over it. I opened it in the garden and let them spread the fertilizer after 4 weeks.

My suggestion for your tractor, start with 10 or fewer to give the adults 4 sq feet per bird. If you are able to move the tractor (water, feeders, birds) as possible to keep them clean, find your tolerance. Glad I started small scale. OR what I thought was small scale. Head first would have overwhelmed me and my little operation.

Handles are required for tractors. Need to add more to mine. Lots of handles. My fingers don't fit through 1/2" hardware cloth.

Best wishes!