Local farmer just offered 22 meat chickens-7 weeks. Should I get them?

[chickenannie]

They are butchering the last of the season, and these ones are too small -- the runty ones that he doesn't want to deal with since his butchering season is over. I'll get them for free IF I pick them up tonight from their farm. He says they are healthy, just runty, and will take another 4-5 weeks to maturity. I don't have indoor housing, but I have an outdoors pen that I can cover with a tarp and surround with hay bales for warmth. Chicken for the freezer and for selling...

Should I take them?

 

[KellyHM]

Yes!! I would jump at the chance!

 

[freemotion]

I would be inclined to!

 

[chiknlady]

I say go for it---I had mine on the wrong protein mix and after correcting it to a higher percentage--they grew leaps and bounds and the first ones topped out at 6-7 pounds at 9 weeks. Now I suspect they are mostly in the 8-9 pound range at 11 weeks and I am looking for freezer space. So just make sure you keep them at 20% for a few weeks and give them healthy snacks like table scraps and greens and you will be in good shape...

 

[megshenhut]

I would take them. Just don't put them in with your layer chickens. I tried that once, bad news. The layers picked on them something awful and then I found out they need the higher protein feed too.

 

[Laskaland]

I would, especially if you don;t mind doing your own butchering. Seems like it would be a good way to start out the new year!!
Can you get a hold of a dog kennel/crate so they would be somewhat enclosed? My DH went to the dump and picked up some leftovers from construction sites- wood panels and what not.
Might be worth looking into?
Good luck!
Christina

 

[patandchickens]

How small is "too small"? My inclination would be to get them and just process them myself right away, whatever size they be... that way you have next to no expenses, just free meat

And if they're kinda runty now who knows how much growing they would even do in another month.

Have fun, whatever you decide to do,

Pat

 

[chickenannie]

I got 'em!
They're probably about 2-3 lbs right now. They're in a crate in the barn for warmth, but I'm going to have to get up early early before work tommorrow and put them out in a cage with food and water. I'm going to give them 16% protein -- that's what the farmer said he had just started giving them (before that it was much higher protein).

These are pastured chickens, that were moved daily. I don't have a pen I can move daily, plus there's no good grass now that it's winter, so I think i'll open a hay bale and keep adding to it each week so they stay clean. I understand that they poop quite a lot!

Maybe a dressed chicken for Christmas presents this year??! Since I can't fit 22 birds in my freezer.

 

[SandraMort]

Wow, how do I get a deal like that?!? Grab it!

 

[KellyHM]

You should give them at least 20% protein...no wonder they're "too small."