Freedom Rangers in Georgia - Spring 2012

[Life is Good!]

Those are beautiful birds! Thanks for the weight comparisons. I agree with you - the pic on the left is a roo and the right is a hen. And the weight spread is about right for it too.

Ours come in 20days and I cannot wait! I'm still trying to determine brooder requiements - it's mid March northern in Illinois according to the calendar; but temps are end of May?! If this holds, I may not have to fuss too much about a brooder set-up for winter conditions! Right now our Black Java layers are sitting in the shade of a fence - PANTING - like it's mid June?! (Mom's coming out with cold red grapes for a round of chicken keep-away when the sun goes past middle of the sky! Too fun! It's 86 in the sun right now...yeesh.)

 

[wsmoak]

Five weeks old... this is probably the biggest one -- first to the feeder so that's who I grabbed to take a picture!



They are spending more time sitting down now, but they do get up to scratch around and eat the grass when I move the tractor (which has to be done at least twice a day.)

Unfortunately I squashed one when moving the tractor this morning and hurt its leg, so we may have to try out the FR version of "Cornish hen" this weekend if it doesn't improve.

-Wendy

 

[JacksFlock]

How big is your tractor? I'm putting 25 birds into a 8x10 and am wondering if I'll have to move it twice a day.

 

[Life is Good!]

Beautiful bird! Wow, they're getting big and healthy looking!

 

[wsmoak]

How big is your tractor? I'm putting 25 birds into a 8x10 and am wondering if I'll have to move it twice a day.

They are stuck in the 4x8 until we get the 5x10's finished. But I'd say yes... it would be better to move it twice a day if you can.

(What *is* the recommended space allotment for meat birds? 26 of them were in a 2x4 foot brooder for the first three weeks, now they're in 4x8 and it's getting crowded at five weeks.)

I am going to order this poultry netting and a solar charger so mine can come out and wander around (and then re-use it for the little goats I plan to get!)

-Wendy

 

[Mrs. Mucket]

Five weeks old... this is probably the biggest one -- first to the feeder so that's who I grabbed to take a picture!



They are spending more time sitting down now, but they do get up to scratch around and eat the grass when I move the tractor (which has to be done at least twice a day.)

Unfortunately I squashed one when moving the tractor this morning and hurt its leg, so we may have to try out the FR version of "Cornish hen" this weekend if it doesn't improve.

-Wendy

Wendy, just curious--did you get many FR that were colored and barred like this? Out of our original 25 only one feathered out barred, the others were solid buff or red and one dark gray. We kept the barred one as a rooster and most of his offspring had barring in a variety of colors, some from FR hens and some from RIR hens. I really like the coloring--like old crele birds I think.

 

[Tarheel2288]

I just got my 36 today, thanks for continuing to update this thread so people like me can get an idea of what to expect.

 

[wsmoak]

Wendy, just curious--did you get many FR that were colored and barred like this? Out of our original 25 only one feathered out barred, the others were solid buff or red and one dark gray. We kept the barred one as a rooster and most of his offspring had barring in a variety of colors, some from FR hens and some from RIR hens. I really like the coloring--like old crele birds I think.

There's only the one with that coloring, the rest are red and yellow. One or two of them *might* have some speckles, but nobody else has that much barring.

Sounds like you kept some to breed? What generation are you on, and are you getting good quality in the offspring?

-Wendy

 

[snowflake]

Wednesday is picture day! Two weeks old:

I am definitely not doing this again without a nipple waterer. I've tried upside down pie plates and now a deep baking dish to keep the waterer up high enough that they don't get it dirty _right_ after I clean it. Everything is covered in dust and tiny feathers. I'm trying to hold out for "fully feathered" but I don't think they're going to make it another week inside!

-Wendy

Love the pics, you guys need to post some pics of your tractors and waterers

have not tried to make a nipple waterer but it sounds nice. My FR were supposed to arrive today I sure hope they show up tomorrow or they will be in trouble, Mailed Wed. 'Mine are going right out into the tractor when they come. I have a light set up and it is staying nice and warm, mine is 4x4 wood box on a 16ft run, with wheels. hope moving it 1 a day is enough, cause I can't do it twice, gotta go to work,

 

[Life is Good!]

By any chance, have you taken height dimensions for these guys? (i.e. 2" tall, 4" tall, etc.)

I've been inspired by the 'DIY Inventions' thread on the Coop & Run Design section of the forum - to create an ajdustable nipple waterer that can go from the brooder to the tractor. However, as I've not raised these little ones before, I've very little idea how tall the waterer needs to be on any given week....anyone have any clue?

15 days and counting 'til they're here for us!