Freedom Ranger Hatchery??

[stanglover2001]

So, I would like to know all the hatcheries that offer freedom rangers for a decent price (shipping included) since I live out in TN. I know Welp is the cheapest for CornishX for me (25 straight run was $39.00 total) but they don't offer them

Any info is greatly appreciated, and thanks in advance!

 

[eKo_birdies]

well, freedom ranger hatchery is the only hatchery to offer those birds under the trade name of "freedom ranger".... other hatcheries offer similar slower growing varieties such as dixie rainbows, red and black broilers, and kosher kings, for example.

 

[stanglover2001]

the only 2 I have found is Ideal's red broiler and freedom ranger sight, Ideal was cheaper by 18 dollars.

 

[eKo_birdies]

nice, for how many?

i've never raised red or black broilers.. i've wanted to try them in the past but they've been sold out every time i've tried to order. that is one of the good things about jm/frh..

 

[jaku]

JM Hatchery is pretty good- a better question than price though is location. Even if you have to pay a little more, order from the closest hatchery you can find, to minimize their time bouncing around in a truck. Your birds will be healthier and it sure beats arguing with the hathery and the post office as to who's responsible for DOA birds.

 

[noahsark]

I live out in rural southern oregon..I am the farthest zone from JM hatchery, and birds all arrived alived friday morning...left wed...

 

[stanglover2001]

I want 25 to start out, me and the DH can't decide if it'd be cheaper to just go ahead and get the cornishx again. They'll be ready sooner, I just really wished more hatcheries offered freedom rangers. It'll start to get chilly at night here in October, but most of the time its warm through the day.

 

[RoosterGeek]

Hey there! I just got my "Freedom Ranger" birds in last Thursday from Freedom Ranger Hatchery. The cost for 25 (they shipped 26) birds with shipping was 60 bucks even. I live in Lebanon, TN. They are very active and alert, even when we picked them up. The postman even commented on how alert they were. This will be our second batch of chickens to raise and we liken these to olympic athletes. The owner of Freedom Ranger Hatchery is very responsive and friendly as well.


Good too see local TN folks looking into the pastured birds!

 

[stanglover2001]

I might just go ahead and put the money towards some freedom rangers, the only thought was I have several laying hens and such that range as well and was concerned they'd all get mixed in together and eat each others food and stuff... Do you think ranging 1/2 on 1/2 off would work? It's not the matter of confusing them since I can tell a difference but I don't want the rangers eating the layer feed and don't want the layers eating the broiler feed. I hate to keep any chicken up

I thought about letting the layers out early in the morning and then putting them up 11-12 and then letting the rangers roam around.

Any ideas? When we did the CornishX we just kept them up so the others wouldn't beat them up or run them (heart attacks) but moved them every day. I'd hate for the rangers to be up since that would defeat the purpose of getting them, I do have a huge coop though... maybe after a certain age I could incorporate them into the coop. I guess I have a few things to think about!

 

[RoosterGeek]

Quote:
What you suggested sounds reasonable. The only advice I would give is to perhaps have them separated by a fence? If you plan on free ranging them, I would think it would be okay to have them all on layer feed. The FR should be able to compensate for the lower protein content of the layer feed.

Perhaps a more experienced person can chime in on this topic.