Cornish x vs. Rainbow/freedom rangers?

[SouthernBYChickens]

We are getting ready to process 62 CX tomorrow. 3rd time this year. We raise them in doors untill they are 3 weeks old and then put them outdoors in a caged area 30'x60' with a sheltered area. They are grown on 19% feed once a day when placed outside. Indoors they always have feed in small cages. They do keep the weeds down and bugs. They are very funny to watch and at feeding time they are a herd following you to be the first at the feed.

So, once you move them outside, you only go out there and feed them once a day? You don't let feed be available for anytime feeding? Thanks!

 

[SouthernBYChickens]

That should be fine. They don't poop huge amounts starting day 1. Towards the 7-8 week you may notice a larger increase in poop. Just makes you more eager to set a processing date. At the end of the project till in lime and give the land a rest.

So, you are saying that once you process the batch, go to their area and spread out lime to till under? What is the purpose of this? Thanks!

 

[SmokinChick]

Lime will speed up the decomposition of fecal matter. It lowers the ph which allows for more microbial and bug activity. It is not a fast process but it will break down gradually.
I do not like to let that stuff sit around and stick to my shoes. LOL!

 

[RoostersCrow HensDeliver!]

You just have to clean their pen often if your keeping them in a stationary building. Also it's important to keep their bedding clean and dry so their skin doesn't get irritated because they spend most of their time laying down as they reach butchering size. The poor birds I've seen at the fair are all scruffy and red from sitting in wet/filthy bedding.

 

[ijon]

I crossed a freedom ranger with a dark cornish got a hen that is a laying machine.

 

[meganblythe]

I've only done one batch of broilers, and they were freedom rangers. My husband and I chose freedom ranger because we wanted a bird that was a little smarter and stronger/healthier than what we've heard and read about Cornish Cross. We raised 26 of them and had zero mortality and health problems (one small incidence of feather picking in the brooder, but we nipped that in the bud quickly). They took 11 weeks to reach harvest size, for a final dressed weight of 3.5-4.0 lbs (not counting the neck and giblets, which I did keep for making stock) which is what I normally look for in the store anyways. The breasts are smaller than the ones you buy in the store - they are about 6 oz each but I think that's a good portion size for one person. As for flavor, I do think they taste great and the meat was incredibly tender and juicy. I was very happy with them, but I wouldn't mind trying Cornish Cross to see the differences.

Here is a post with the full details of what I fed them and how much they weighed in the end: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...oilers-feed-amount-feed-conversion-and-growth

 

[SouthernBYChickens]

Thanks all for your input!!