info request from Cornish Rock raisers

[adoptedbyachicken]

Often they are free ranged in chicken tractors, which is basically a portable covered run you move to new grass as needed. Electric poultry netting is another way. I have livestock guardian dogs to help my layer flock free range, but they are more agile.

 

[mommy9994]

we don't have a preditor problem here, so I don't know how you would prevent them.

 

[willheveland]

I don't think you'll want to go 12 weeks maybe 8.At 12 they may be alittle stringy.IMO.
I keep 25 in a 8x8 portable coop, another 15 in a 6x8 portable.I like to move mine at least once a day.Meat birds are hard to raise in one spot.I have mine processed all at the same time.30+ will fill your freezer.I want most of mine halved this year even though I like rotisserie chicken the best.It will free up some room in the freezer.
Let me know what you think of Welps,I have never tried them but thought about it this year.Prices with shipping are pretty good.Many hatcheries sold out fast for early hatches,I should have known better. good luck Will

 

[greyfields]

I have two chicken tractors. One I can pull by hand, the other takes my tractor. Guess which one is my favorite and gets used more?

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Nice pics Will! This is probably a stupid question, but how do you move it and the chickens at the same time? I have my FR's in an inside coop. Now that Freedom Rangers are out of business, I'm thinking about Cornish...but I always wondered how you'd move them all...

 

[belibutn]

Hehe, my guess is that if you just started dragging it, they would move as soon as the far side bumped them in the rump. Not sure if that's what Will does or not, but it would be fun

And those are really great pics. My wife and I are very grateful for all the info from all of you on this. It has really helped solidify what we are wanting to do and how we are going to go about doing it.

 

[willheveland]

Quote:
Yes,as I slide it they move.I plastic gutters are like bumpers and bumps them along.I have had one stubborn one just lay down and got hung up under the gutter and he died from it.But I was by myself and in a hurry.I usually have my kids walk behind it and shue them towards the front while I pull.It pulls quite easy even with 2 waterers hanging inside. Will