Meaty Brooter & Grow Off Pen System

[MrRushed]

Has anyone used this setup for their meaties. https://www.gqfmfg.com/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=63

Would have to use a Cornish X for fast grow out to keep it filled and cycle every 4 weeks.

It's a little pricey. ANY THOUGHTS.

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

My entire reason for raising my own meat birds is to be sure they are NOT raised like they would be in a commercial factory farm, where the whole goal is to cram as many birds in as small a space as possible and to crank them through the system in as limited an amout of time as possible. I want my birds to have lots of space to move around, fresh air, sunshine, clean food and water and humane treatment. While the system you show looks efficient, I don't see how it differs from factory farming.

 

[MrRushed]

My entire reason for raising my own meat birds is to be sure they are NOT raised like they would be in a commercial factory farm, where the whole goal is to cram as many birds in as small a space as possible and to crank them through the system in as limited an amout of time as possible. I want my birds to have lots of space to move around, fresh air, sunshine, clean food and water and humane treatment. While the system you show looks efficient, I don't see how it differs from factory farming.

I understand your concerns about the treatment of your animals.

Just the thought of a poor creature born and bread to only live for 8 weeks for the sole purpose of being processed and consumed is unnatural and not humane but we still do it.

We as humans love our pets to no avail but these birds are not pets they have one purpose and one purpose only.

I myself wouldn't use a system like this cause I have the space for a flock. If I didn't though I would consider using one for the sole purpose of knowing what they are fed and not pumped up with all kinds of unnatural crap that in turn ends up in us when we consume them.

Thank-you Hummingbird for your thoughts and concerns.

I

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

Thanks for the reply. Having raised one batch of Freedom Rangers for meat and a smaller batch of CX this spring and with a group of Red Rangers brooding in the garage, I have experience with keeping the boundry between what is a pet and what is being raised for meat. My goal was to bring them to butchering weight quickly, but as healthily as possible, and if by restricting food to 12 hours on 12 hours off and encouraging forraging meant they grew slower, but in a more natural, healthy way, I did that.

I agree that what mankind has done in breeding the CX is "unnatural", it can still be raised in a more natural, holistic and humane evironment. I wonder if you were to try to raise a bunch of CX according to the manufacturer of that booder/grow-out pen's instructions you miight have to add antibiotics to their water all the time because of the cramped growing conditions. Don"t know.

Now, if you can find out where I can get one of these, I'd like to experiment growing a garden in "unnatural" conditions.