Ideals Red Broilers, Have you had them?

[BookWorm243]

I was looking at getting Ideals red broiler but wanted to hear every one else's thoughts on them.

Thanks

 

[kooltex]

Had them, have them still. Good birds. Kept some hens back for breeding. They actually lay pretty good, . I have one hen that consistantly lays big double yolkers. Yum. Put some roos in the freezer. Good meaty birds. Breast are longer than a cornish x but have quite a bit of meat. Not as "plump" in the breast, but alot more thigh and leg. I like them. Though there are alot more feathers to pluck than a cornish x. I did have two of my largest roos drop dead, not sure what went on there.

 

[eKo_birdies]

unless you really love double yolkers i'd cull that layer of the 2-yolks... she's no good to be held back for breeding.

maybe you already know that and are just fond of her... either way..

 

[stanglover2001]

Well I've got them right now, and this is my first time having Freedom Rangers but its been too cold out and they're not getting the meat on them like they should be. They're 11 weeks old and the biggest one I have is a roo and he's only 4 lbs 10 oz. I also had trouble with Ideal because when I ordered they had an available date when I ordered but they weren't sent out until like a month later and now its freezing outside and they're not big enough. I'm having to hold them over til probably 16 weeks, I've also got CornishX from them at the same time and those didn't reach the ideal weight versus what the ones I got from the Welp cornishx got.

I swore I wouldn't buy from Ideal again, but I've had nothing but issues out of these birds compared to my batch from welp.

Maybe its just the time of year

?

ETA: I said the biggest one is 4 lbs 10 oz, but the rest except another roo are more like 2-3 pounds... some of the hens are even smaller I'm sure. My RIR's are bigger than a few of them... so dissappointed.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I just finished butchering my first ever Freedom Rangers. They grew so fast and became huge. They reminded me of veloceraptor.
They were from Freedomrangerhatchery.
I fed 24% protein flock raiser till 8 weeks then switched to 15%.
Killed 3 at 6 weeks - they averaged 3 lb. 1.3 oz.
At 8 weeks they were 4 lbs.
At 12 weeks they were 5 lbs. 5 oz.
They were on pasture from 3 weeks on - they didn't like snow much though.
I was very pleased.

 

[eKo_birdies]

Quote:
do you feed soy-free?

 

[BookWorm243]

Thanks everyone!
I was going to go with freedom rangers but for what I need Ideal is cheaper.

Kooltex: do they have any leg problems?

 

[stanglover2001]

Quote:
do you feed soy-free?

I feed them purina's flock raiser since it's supposed be "all natural" and like 24% I think or 22%, only thing in my area. It did well last time I got chicks.

The ingredients says hulled soybean meal... is this bad to feed?

 

[chickensrfood]

I have a small group of 6 from ideal. They are now a little over a week old and there legs are swelling. Two are really large probably roosters. I am keeping these for some breeding crosses, but these did not grow like my CX from ideal and I had no leg issues luckily.

 

[eKo_birdies]

Quote:
do you feed soy-free?

I feed them purina's flock raiser since it's supposed be "all natural" and like 24% I think or 22%, only thing in my area. It did well last time I got chicks.

The ingredients says hulled soybean meal... is this bad to feed?

i don't feed soy but i wouldn't say it's "bad"...

i've just heard that growth rates may be slowed w/ a soy-free feed so i thought that may be your problem...

i'm sorry you had bad luck!!