Got my first meat birds!!! (PIC heavy!!!)

[Habibs Hens]

found the ebay listing and they have a website they sell on and is cheaper than ebay

they sell 4 sizes

S, M, L, XL

http://www.coopsnmore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=216

 

[hydroswiftrob]

All 27 have been processed. I will definitely be building a plucker. The second batch was about 1lb behind the first in processing weight. I am going to attribute it to the heat, I could definitely tell it was taking its toll on them.

 

[hydroswiftrob]

What I have learned from my first year with meaties:

1. We did not raise enough birds. Although we haven't eaten all of them yet, we are dangerously low. I am thinking a minimum of 50, would love to do 75 but that would require the purchase of another freezer.

2. This meat makes one of the best barter tools I have ever had. People seem reluctant to pay what I want for the meat, but are willing to barter for more than twice what I want for it.

3. I miss raising them and watching them grow. I think I might split my batches into a 1/2 spring and 1/2 fall. I couldn't split this year because we bought a new house and are still settling in.

4. I see the arguments on this thread for Cornish X, Rangers, dual purpose, and I can say that I will raise Cornish X over and over until some type of apocalypse happens and I am unable to order. The feed to meat ratio is to great and the meat itself it delicious.

5. This can be done in an urban environment. I did it as an outlaw. Birds are not allowed in my city. We have since bought a farm and we are legit, but I couldn't wait for the farm and decided to be an outlaw. The birds were not noisy, my neighbors never knew until I brought them a pack of chicken for not "ratting" me out. Most of them were in shock and said "Thanks!", one even asked if I was going to raise them again because she would be interested in more meat.

6. Kids can be a part of this whole process and not be traumatized. I have a 7 yo boy and 13 yo girl that helped with processing. They learned where food comes from. They were able to sleep at night. They don't suffer from post-tramatic stress syndrome. They eat the chicken and also waste less because they understand where it came from and the trouble involved to raise it.

7. It DOES cost MORE to raise your own, but I guarantee the chicken taste, texture, and healthiness is NOT the same.

8. I love talking Cornish X. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

 

[TamTurkey]

I love that you process them yourself! i don't have the stomach or the patience for it! So for $2-3 a bird it's worth it to me to let the processor do it! But big applause for doing it all yourself!

 

[Mikedero]

awesome thread