MEAT BIRD'S " TELL US HOW YOU DO IT"

[TNBEARCHICK]

What breeds do you have TNBEARCHICK?

We have Australorps, Orpingtons, Brahmas, Wyandottes, Rocks and SFH all breeds in multiple colors

 

[Shellz]

Nice big breeds! I'll be getting some of those this spring, except the Brahmas. What is an SFH? I'm sure once someone tells me, I'll be like, Doh!

 

[TNBEARCHICK]

SWEdish flower Hen

 

[Shellz]

Doh! Yes, I see that now. I've been raising chickens for over 3 years now, and joined this site just last year. I'm interested in creating slow, natural food. I was wondering if you have a particular breed favorite for roasting.

 

[Mingming]

Can I ask a couple questions from you guys that have done this before? I'm raising my first batch (25) of freedom rangers on fermented feed and they're 2 weeks old today. They're growing great, and seem healthy, but they're voracious eaters. So I'm trying not to feed them from 7pm - 7am - but when I put my hand in the pen at 7am to get the completely empty trough containers they go after my hand like they've never seen food before - it's almost scary! Is that going to continue until they reach harvesting size? I only haven't fed them for 12 hours off for the past 3 days, but I feel so guilty - like I'm starving the poor little things - but they're very stocky and when I last weighed them about 3 days ago - they were on average 1/2 lb each. I don't know if I'm killing them with kindess if I feed them after 7pm? or can I give them a little food? or will they learn to adjust? and about 1/2 of them don't seem to understand when I throw food to them ... bits of bread or worms or something .... they just stand there looking at me and waiting for food - while there's bread at their feet! I've got a layer flock of 8 birds that I've raised from chicks, and none of them acted this way ..... it's, well, weird. But is it normal for them? Soon, they'll go outside, so maybe when they're hungry they can have grass and bugs to go after if they so choose....

Thanks for any help.... I appreciate this thread, and all that I've learned from it

 

[Kildare49]

Assuming your feeding 2x's day. Are all of them still at the feeder(s) until they empty them...or have most finished prior to feeders being empty?

I put enough feed that most of them are finished prior to the feeders being empty.

And yes....every time I feed, they will swarm. They are not like layers. Have not raised rangers ( done CX ), these guys produce heat, I had them out of the brooder @ 7 days, and outside by 2 weeks. Prior to going outside I would always throw some scratch in the coop. They were well trained when I put them outside, they were good at foraging ( no....not like layers, but they didn't hang around feeder waiting for me. ).

 

[Mingming]

Assuming your feeding 2x's day. Are all of them still at the feeder(s) until they empty them...or have most finished prior to feeders being empty?

I put enough feed that most of them are finished prior to the feeders being empty.

And yes....every time I feed, they will swarm. They are not like layers. Have not raised rangers ( done CX ), these guys produce heat, I had them out of the brooder @ 7 days, and outside by 2 weeks. Prior to going outside I would always throw some scratch in the coop. They were well trained when I put them outside, they were good at foraging ( no....not like layers, but they didn't hang around feeder waiting for me. ).

I am feeding 2x/day. I didn't notice before, but looked today at lunch-time, and they finish feeding (mostly) and the feeders aren't exactly empty. I see what you're saying though - maybe give them more food with each feeding. I'll give that a try - thanks! They're 2 weeks old, do you think I can give them scratch? I think that would help! It's interesting, I've been mixing a little milk for calcium in with their FF each morning, and they drink very little water when I do that. I hope this experiment works out okay

 

[allisonbowlin]

i am very much interested to know the link for backyardchicken for purchase from miami florida please give me the link
.

 

[chickenmama22]

i am very much interested to know the link for backyardchicken for purchase from miami florida please give me the link
.

Do you mean a hatchery for meat birds in Miami? Try Morris Hatchery http://www.morrishatchery.com/

 

[allisonbowlin]

Thank you.