"Finishing" CX's by freeranging

[Winsor Woods]

So I've been trying a new experiment with my last batch of CX's. I had them in the brooder with chick starter (21%) for 4 weeks. Them moved them to the chicken tractor with starter until 11 weeks old. I processed the bulk of them but I chose which ones to "keep longer" by opening up the tractor and noting which ones were eager to get out for some exercise and free-ranging. I had 11 left that I let out every day for free-ranging with no additional starter but I did scatter some scratch and flax seed around the yard for my layers that the meaties did find. Other the past two weeks, some meaties went lame and I processed them along with some others that weren't going to cut the mustard. I'm down to 5 meaties now and they are pretty good at getting out in the morning and working hard all day feeding themselves.


Just wondering if anyone else has freeranged CX's and if they've noticed a difference in taste of meat?

Dan

 

[dchickenman]

I've never done that, so don't know for sure, but I bet they'll be great-tasting. Maybe a little tough from all the exercise...

 

[mstricer]

Your not giving them any feed?

 

[CoopCrazy]

The only problems i could see is that you will probably lose quite bit of weight freeranging, the birds will be tougher and you wont have a nice layer of fat on them (which i love) ... Also I hope you are giving some feed as most birds only forage fopr about 30% of their needed nutrients... They really should have some feed, wether it be just corn or oats etc....

 

[mstricer]

Quote:
Thats what I was thinking, When I pen up a few cockerels by the tree of woe, I usually just give them corn and water. They still need feed. I pretty sure if they are CX's and 10 weeks you can process now.

 

[crperdue]

Quote:
Just like Conan was tied to!

 

[Winsor Woods]

Thanks all for the feedback. I've been putting some dried peas, scratch, flax and millet out in the yard for all the chickens. I do notice that the meaties love to eat my vetch. Anyways, I know they're ready to process, I just wondered how much different the meat would taste by getting them off that indust ag starter and onto a more wholesome diet, at least for a couple weeks. They are already so huge that I don't care too much about them losing weight. It's just an experiment to satisfy some curiosity. I'll let you all know the results of my side by side taste test.

Dan

 

[Hillsvale]

mine freesrange all day with a feeding in the morning and evening... I processed some on the weekend and the one I boned certainly didn't feel tough at all! Going to try one tonight...

 

[MMPoultryFarms]

I do my meaties a little differently I Put them in a Brooder till week 2 then free range them till week 8, at week 8 I put them in a broiler pen, and Hard feed them 24 hours a day, In my troubles with the CxR I found this way to be the healthiest way I can do it My birds exercise well I don't have heart or leg problems and They really fatten up nicely On the High Protien feed I use When they go to the Kill cage.

 

[Winsor Woods]

Quote:
Hey, that's a neat idea. I may give this a try with a group of meaties from my next batch. Thanks!

Dan