Is anyone else raising fall broilers? Our chicks came today: 8/18

[SIMZ]

I just ordered some and am waiting to hear about a ship date. We are new to chickens and these will be my first meat birds. I am hoping the timing will be ok and we can process them before we have snow on the ground (which is easily as early as Halloween) as I was not planning on giving them access to the main coop.

We actually ordered a second batch to come mid-September. This will be our first time doing 2 overlapping batches. How are your little (well, big!) guys doing in their coop?

 

[SIMZ]

SmokinChick - let us know when your chicks get here! I hope your second batch does great!

Playinchicken - it's definitely an experience raising meat chicks! I hope you can get them finished before the snow flies!

 

[a3prepper]

I'm brand new to chickens. We're debating on getting 6 to start. 2 GComets, 2 Barred Rocks, 2 RIReds.

All hens. If we wanted to each a couple how old do they have to be before you can butcher them? We definitely want some for eggs but I wouldn't mind trying some out for meat. I hear that all 3 breeds are good hybrid for layers or eating any opinions of this?

Do you do anything different with raising them for layers vs eating them as far as food or shelter?

Thanks in advance.

Gary

 

[SIMZ]

Hi Gary,

We have butchered our excess roosters and cornish cross but not hens. This fall will be the first time we cull some of our laying hens. Maybe someone will jump in or you could start your own thread with that question in the meat section. Someone else could most likely give you advice on feeding as well. It seems you could simply raise them all together on a starter/grower feed until you're ready to butcher them.

 

[wsmoak]

My fall meat birds should arrive tomorrow or Thursday. I ordered an assortment from S&G to see if we like any of them better than the Freedom Rangers we raised last Spring. Ten each of their Red Ranger, Heritage White, Rainbow, and Naked Neck. That should spread out the processing too, as they mature at different rates.

I still need to process the extra roosters from the late spring laying flock additions, plus the 2-year-old rooster who has been acting a little too aggressive lately. I dislike having to keep an eye out for him while I gather eggs or tend to the rabbits.

-Wendy

 

[kelpieschick]

I'm getting some in Mid September to be processed at 8 weeks. We have pretty mild weather here on the coast so it should work well.

 

[redneck4life27]

My meaties are 2 weeks old 16 of them looking at ordering another 25 here in a few day. Never can tell the weather here in northern ny. Hope all goes well.

 

[Mosherd1]

What is the website for the black meat birds, I have not heard of them either and I am interested in checking them out. Thanks,

 

[MikeG]

75 Cornish Xs coming tomorrow. This is the latest batch we will have done and first for our new farm. Have the brooder all set and super excited to get them situated...

 

[kellieg1]

I got some meat chicks this past last wed. They are the fry pan special from Cackle hatchery. We have 25 of them. Its been a long time since be have butchered chickens.