Freedom Ranger Nerd Out Thread

[Lelilamom]

Great Update. Just wanted to weigh in on the clear fluid in your one bird. We had this happen to just one of our birds out of all the years we've been raising chickens for meat. I noticed the bird was in distress at 6 weeks and culled her early. She was filled with clear fluid. In my experience, looking at her organs, I voted kidney failure. Not uncommon in hybridized birds. I disposed of the entire bird and did not use the meat.

 

[seanengler]

Great Update. Just wanted to weigh in on the clear fluid in your one bird. We had this happen to just one of our birds out of all the years we've been raising chickens for meat. I noticed the bird was in distress at 6 weeks and culled her early. She was filled with clear fluid. In my experience, looking at her organs, I voted kidney failure. Not uncommon in hybridized birds. I disposed of the entire bird and did not use the meat.

Good to know! I didn't notice any distress in any of the birds which is why it surprised me, oh well. Thank you!

 

[pioneerchick816]

@seanengler
Just wanted to show you what my CXR look like at 4 weeks. The FF has helped them feather tremendously better than on regular dry food. I only have one other batch to compare too but I remember how awful they looked(feather wise)

Although they still poo A LOT it is not watery & just about the same as my layers. I think they are drinking less as well. I should be able to tell more over the next four weeks

 

[MTchicklady]

Great thread! Thanks for tracking the feed and weights, I have a mixed flock with only one coop so it's nice to see the numbers. This year I chose a handful of crosses and double that for red rangers, the pitiful crosses are much larger and we loved their moist n tender rich flavor last year. However, the reds are so friendly and not nearly as lazy! This combo lets us butcher smaller batches since we hand pluck (it's not that bad) and we like skin-on boneless breasts!!
I would like to start a second batch of rangers for winter meat and will try to track them but so far I've gone through 4 50 lb bags for 30 chicks, 17 meat and 13 layers, in 5 weeks.
If anyone has used a drill plucker please share as I would like to process more than 12 birds in an afternoon resulting in very sore hands Lol.

 

[seanengler]

@seanengler
Just wanted to show you what my CXR look like at 4 weeks. The FF has helped them feather tremendously better than on regular dry food. I only have one other batch to compare too but I remember how awful they looked(feather wise)

Although they still poo A LOT it is not watery & just about the same as my layers. I think they are drinking less as well. I should be able to tell more over the next four weeks

Thanks!

 

[mcclaryc26]

Feed question!

Ok so I've read time and time again to take them off feed for 12 hours prior to processing, I get that. But my question is, and I have searched and searched on these forums, I hate asking repeats, but my question is do they need to come off pasture and into crates while off feed? While they continue to eat enough grass and bugs to create an issue during processing?

Thanks!

Did anyone ever answer this? Or did you get/find an answer?

 

[Molpet]

Did anyone ever answer this? Or did you get/find an answer?

They can become poop fountains when dispatched and have been eating anything.