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

[SIMZ]

I hope everything is going well with your family member now.

We're getting ready to process 25 of our 54 today, with the rest following next Saturday. Did I mention it's cold out there?! These guys are just over 6 weeks and I'm curious to see how they weigh in.

 

[SIMZ]

We ended up processing 30 and they were all right around 3 1/2 - 4 lbs. We picked the smaller ones and will let the rest grow for another week. These were shipped as 3/4 female and I expected them to be much smaller than we're used to. That doesn't seem to be the case and I'm really happy with how they've done. They're very healthy and active with tall, strong legs. Go Meyer hatchery!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

We ended up processing 30 and they were all right around 3 1/2 - 4 lbs. We picked the smaller ones and will let the rest grow for another week. These were shipped as 3/4 female and I expected them to be much smaller than we're used to. That doesn't seem to be the case and I'm really happy with how they've done. They're very healthy and active with tall, strong legs. Go Meyer hatchery!

Very nice size for the age! did you tractor, or range them? I don't know the origin on this batch. I actually traded some layers for them... The lady had got them and just couldn't go thru with it. The broiler poo issue did it

she couldn't stand all the poop! I started with 25, one drowned in a stock tank.. One is my pigs pet (LOL) so she is staying and is so tiny she wouldn't amount to much anyway. they are at about 12 weeks. Hoping the meat is still tender. We are cooking a few for dinner Sunday while the family comes over to help process the rest.

I hope everything is going well with your family member now.

We're getting ready to process 25 of our 54 today, with the rest following next Saturday. Did I mention it's cold out there?! These guys are just over 6 weeks and I'm curious to see how they weigh in.

thanks

mom started dialysis, and is so much better! Brrrr its high 49 tomorrow, hope for some sun at least!

 

[SIMZ]

Glad to hear your mom is doing better!

We've raised this batch in a 10 X 12-ish area penned off with access to outside. We ran the electronetting fence around the garage that they're in, so they can come and go as they please. The weather has caused them to be inside more than usual, so that might have caused them to be bigger than if they were running around the whole time.

Let us know how yours taste!

 

[Sandrachx]

we raised both freedom rangers and black broilers this year and had them processed last weekend. sadly, we found the black broilers were MUCH smaller than the freedom rangers in weight. they were taller than the FRs but did not have the weight we were looking for, and we won't be raising them again. we also found them to be very skittish compared to the FRs which were friendly/curious the day out of the box.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Glad to hear your mom is doing better!

We've raised this batch in a 10 X 12-ish area penned off with access to outside. We ran the electronetting fence around the garage that they're in, so they can come and go as they please. The weather has caused them to be inside more than usual, so that might have caused them to be bigger than if they were running around the whole time.

Let us know how yours taste!

The taste is amazing! I was very pleased. I am still stumped on the lack of fat. my average weight is about 5.4 pounds dressed. It has to be the free ranging the few hours a day they got. I am kinda missing the pterodactyl stomping towards me when i put them up at nite tho

planning spring order already, and turkeys are definitely on the list. Hubby was very pleased with the roasted chicken dinner, fried is next.

 

[SIMZ]

I always miss the "pterodactyl stomping", too! LOL We're finishing our meaties tomorrow. It's been a long haul -- we've raised two batches starting in mid-August. My husband is definitely ready to have his garage back.

We're planning on turkeys, too. What kind are you going to raise? We're leaning towards Midget Whites (fit better in our space) along with some fast-growing BB whites.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I always miss the "pterodactyl stomping", too! LOL We're finishing our meaties tomorrow. It's been a long haul -- we've raised two batches starting in mid-August. My husband is definitely ready to have his garage back.

We're planning on turkeys, too. What kind are you going to raise? We're leaning towards Midget Whites (fit better in our space) along with some fast-growing BB whites.

I want some heritage, or i was thinking mini whites also. I have the room, but its mostly me doing the care and feeding. I have seen some at a friends, they acted friendlier than her big guys, i want to say they were royal palms. But am doing the BBW for meat birds.
I will wait til my poults can go outside, then start meaties again... I plan to do 50 next round.
Plan to get them at the same time i order my new layers so the chicks can teach the buggers what food and waters for. Chicks always get the idea pretty fast. Then will separate them around the first week. Definitely adding more layers this year, now to choose what to breeds to get!

 

[SIMZ]

Today we processed the last of our broilers. We were very concerned what the weather would be like when we processed our last chickens. Who would have thought it would be 60 degrees? Can't beat that!

Although I'm sorry to see my little "Marvins" go, I am so relieved to be done with meaties for the year. After a few months of looking at hatchery catalogs, I'll be ready for more!

Here are some final thoughts I have -- we did a ton of gardening and canning this summer. Now we also have a freezer full of chicken. It often didn't seem worth the work, but the economic rumors out there don't concern me as much now. We'll have food!

I hope everyone else enjoyed raising their fall meat chickens. See you next time!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Today we processed the last of our broilers. We were very concerned what the weather would be like when we processed our last chickens. Who would have thought it would be 60 degrees? Can't beat that!

Although I'm sorry to see my little "Marvins" go, I am so relieved to be done with meaties for the year. After a few months of looking at hatchery catalogs, I'll be ready for more!

Here are some final thoughts I have -- we did a ton of gardening and canning this summer. Now we also have a freezer full of chicken. It often didn't seem worth the work, but the economic rumors out there don't concern me as much now. We'll have food!

I hope everyone else enjoyed raising their fall meat chickens. See you next time!

Ugh, same here. I am so afraid of what the future holds. I swore, never pigs, i have 2, birds way too many lmao, but i am looking out for my family. Will start my broilers march latest.