Colored Range Chicks Info Please!

[CTChickenMom]

My chickens would never make it to slaughter if I let them free range. We have coyotes, coy-dogs, red tailed hawks, owls, and my neighbors dog. There have also been sightings of bobcats. Nothing smaller than a turkey stands much of a chance. I need a meat bird that won't care about being in a tractor coop. I like the colored rangers but if they need to be free range I can't do it.

 

[willheveland]

Quote:
I do not believe that their digestive systems are not what they should be.I think the smell is because that they eat so much more,their going to poo that much more.The more poo the more smell.Any animal that poos 5x as much as another will smell more.That's why most try to raise them outside and move their pens often.If it is dry it won't smell.
Your feed to meat conversion doesn't change because of the death rate.They still eat the same amount and produce the same amount of meat.It's just as you lose some your costs go up because you have to figure in the cost of the bird you lost.It doesn't change the FCR.If anything you'll be using less feed because of a lower head count.
You will have losses no matter what,just like raising any animals not every animal survives.The higher the # of animals you raise the more often you will see death.It's not a livestock owner thing,it's a mother nature thing.With any living things a % does not survive.
I assure you though the rate of loss is no wheres near what some have posted about the Cornish.If raised properly you will enjoy your results. Will

 

[wisdom_seeker]

I think I am going to get more Cornish Xs this spring paying close attention to my FCR. Last year I raised my Xs with laying hens so I have no clue what my FCR was. Then I will get the Colored range chicks later in the season so I have a better comparison. Again paying close attention to my FCR.

Thank you everyone for your imput!