Colored Rangers Grow Out Journal/ Video Added pg 11

[Mad Tapper]

Excellent post. Very interesting and informative. Having raised my first and only "crop" of Cornish X last summer, I am truly a rookie. I am torn between a batch of CX or these intruiging little rascals this coming summer. I understand the economics and marketability of keeping the dressed weights around 4-5 lbs for those that are seeking a profit. As someone that isn't, I must say the couple of roos that dressed out over 8 lbs were nice to have in the freezer when hosting company. Not to mention all the leftovers. So my question is this, if growing these slower growers, and understanding their FCR is comparable to the CX, would it be possible / economical to grow them out longer and reach some slightly higher dressed weights? 7-9 lbs? Or is that asking too much from that type of bird?

BTW, It took 9 wks 2 days to get my 25 CX to reach an avg. dressed weight of 6 lbs. But it was risky business as I lost some birds in the final days.

 

[Harp Turkey Ranch]

would it be possible / economical to grow them out longer and reach some slightly higher dressed weights? 7-9 lbs?

I'm sure it would be possible, but it would take longer then 12 weeks and after that the meat would just start getting tougher every week that you waited after that point.​

 

[Harp Turkey Ranch]

*** 7 1/2 week update ***

Well today we got a bit of snow, very unusual for us. Is it spring or winter ?? Anyways snapped a shot of the snow broilers. Last night I attached the feed tote to the back of their hoop house to help block some of the cold snowy weather. They didn't seem to mind they came out this am and went straight to the feeders and then starting eating the snow.
They are getting large now, but not large enough to butcher. they only have 4 1/2 weeks more to go. Everyone I talked too said they grew the most in the last 4 weeks or so, so we will see.They are now going through 50lb sacks daily.I thin they go through more water then they do food !!! they consume about 10 gallons a day !! I would guess they are the same size as Cornish X's at 4 weeks or so ?? Defiantly grow a lot slower !!! I picked up a few today and their leg muscles are getting HUGE !! I love me some drumsticks

Snow Broilers

 

[lowcountrypoultry]

Sounds great! I am really thinking about getting some ....

Like I need anymore chickens

 

[Harp Turkey Ranch]

Yesterday we received are third order of 125. So that puts us at about 300 as of today. It sure is amazing how fast 4 weeks go by. So the first batch is 8 weeks old now. Every evening seems like a few are outside sleeping so gotta move in. They feel as they have some good weight to them. We have been VERY happy with the grow out so far, nothing to complain about but the weather. The birds are doing their thing and eating and growing. Only 4 weeks to go. Maybe only 2-3 though the way they are growing. We'll see.

 

[Laskaland]

Thanks for keeping us updated! I had to delay my April 1st order as I will be out of town so much in April and May!! I am looking at June now, so we'll see when it gets closer.
Are you still on schedule with the feed? I would guess as soon as the grass starts greening up, the need for feed will go down- will be interesting to see. Probably see the difference in your second and then definitely in the batch you are getting this week

 

[Harp Turkey Ranch]

Are you still on schedule with the feed? I would guess as soon as the grass starts greening up, the need for feed will go down- will be interesting to see.

Yes we can not wait for the grasses to get old enough to strat grazing them. The wheat and rye are starting to grow good now, but they are just not ready for intensive grazing yet, another 4 weeks and should be good to go.
The feed is going as planned. With our sudden cold snaps and unusual snow fall we might see an increase in the feed. Only time will tell the true tale.It has been freezing at nights here and now the rain has moved in hard, so we are pushing the move out day for the 2nd batch.Planning on moving them here on Monday or Tuesday if weather permits.​

 

[Harp Turkey Ranch]

It has been 48 hrs now on the third batch and have not lost a single one. 129 shipped and 129 alive. I think I got these guys figured out now.

I think my biggest problem was that I was treating them as broilers while brooding.

Treating them more like real chickens and layers and they thrive. Used to the Cornish X's no matter what you do, some still die, its all in the numbers. We'll see on the next batch if my methods hold true ??? So far what I have experienced is that what is alive after 24 hrs they stay alive until human errors. I have not had one out of the 200 so far just die for no reason. The ones that died where right after shipping within 24 hrs and then later in life after moved outside we had a few cold snaps out of no where and had 4 crushed to death. But so far out of 334 colored rangers I have only lost 17-20 to this day. So not bad. Now I'm trying to improve on that number.

 

[knittychickadee]

I ordered 25 of these after reading this thread, they're coming the first week of June.

What protein percent have you fed them all along? Do they have to have chick starter to begin with?
So far I've only found a cheapo starter that I don't like the ingredients of, and a medicated, which I'm not fond of either... Broiler feed I have a choice of 21% protein, but not fond of the ingredients, and Flockraiser, at 20% protein.

 

[Harp Turkey Ranch]

You just need to feed them the same as you would a Cornish X. I would go with the 20-21% with out meds. I'm not familiar with all the brand names as we have a local feed mill here and they are a no name,they only sell locally.
I don't understand what you mean you don't like the ingredients in the feed ?? We DO NOT use meds in the feeds.
You can use molasses and apple cider vinegar to replace those icky meds in the feed with good all natural meds in their water. Here is how we do it.
First week I put 1 tablespoon of Molasses per gallon of water. This will help give the new chicks fast energy,vitamins, and molasses also acts as a natural stool softener in poultry, so they do get paste butt.
The second to third week I'll give them 1-2 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar per gallon in their water. This helps their gut to work properly and helps them from getting a sour crop. It also helps in the aid of preventing/curing coccidiosis.