Done With Meat Birds

[Salt and Light]

I think I'm going to start raising dual-purpose birds and stop with meat birds. I lost two more birds the past two days and if I don't lose anymore birds, I'm now up to almost $10.00/bird. I think I'm going to purchase 25 dual-purpose birds and use them for a sustaining stock of eggs and meat.

Any suggestions/comments?

 

[NancyP]

It's a good plan. Lots of people happily do this, myself included.

 

[punky rooster]

we did/are doing the same thing

 

[CarriageStone]

I'm with you. I just did a batch of Freedom Rangers and I can't justify doing another. The cost is up there once you factor in all the feed and the flavor is not any different from what I've been buying at the store. It's a shame, because I really wanted it to work out. I was very pleased in dealing with Freedom Ranger Hatchery. The chicks came in energetic and happy. All that part was great. I just can't justify the total cost if I can't tell a bit of difference in taste.

 

[marquisella]

Quote:
Just be aware, not trying to be sarcastic, but they get sick, get eaten by predators as well, and take 5-7 months to start laying to be big enough to eat. And you won't get anyway near the amount of meat on that bird that you are feeding for 6 months.

If you are willing to wait that long for the occasional bird, then its probably a good idea.

I prefer to raise specifically for meat. I find its hard to eat something I've raised for that long. But then, my breeds are not for eating, although they are dual purpose breeds, I raise them for eggs & show purposes.

Forgot to add, that I'm more comfortable eating a 2-3 mo. old bird, that has not been mediated or wormed for any reason. But that's just me.

Sue

 

[foxhomechickens]

I don't believe in dual purpose at all. Meat birds for meat.

 

[Salt and Light]

Date Amt Reason # Birds Cost/bird

11/19/10 $65.00 Chickens 27 $2.41
11/19/10 $5.32 Heat Lamp 27
11/19/10 $5.89 Pine Chips 27
11/19/10 $129.00 600lbs 20% feed 27
11/27/10 (3 dead chicks – dehydration?) 24
12/18/10 (2 dead chickens) 22

Total $205.21 22 $9.33

 

[Salt and Light]

I like raising meat birds, but at $10.00/bird, I'm having difficulty justifying the cost. I don't know weigh my birds, so I don't know the price/lb, but it must be substantially higher than the store. I understand the benefits of home raising, but there must be a better (i.e. cheaper) way of producing good quality chickens for the table.

 

[marquisella]

Quote:
In one month your birds have eaten 600 lbs of feed? What are they vultures? LOL

I've had 26 FRs for just over 2 weeks and haven't gone through one bag of 26% feed yet. They have feed 24/7 available.

Sue

 

[Dogfish]

I went through 900lbs of feed in 9 weeks for my 47 CX birds. Averaged 5.5lbs, and my initial cost per bird was much lower. Cost per bird was under $4 finished. Manage your feed and find a better place to buy birds. It is hard to beat those whole birds though when they go on sale for $.99/lb.