Mixing meat and laying birds

[legojenn]

Hi:

I can't have chickens in the suburbia, but I really want to get some meat birds after buying a free-range chicken and really enjoying.

I have a friend who has a flock of 20 free-range laying hens. She's willing to mind them as they grow up if I provide the feed and birds. If I were to get some red rangers, would it be possible or practical to let them blend in with her birds for the nine or so weeks that they'd be outdoors, or do they need to be separated into a tractor?

If they need to be separated, then it might not be as attractive adventure.

 

[RodNTN]

How old are the Red Rangers? If they are at least 8 weeks old, they should be fine if they are introduced properly.

Here is a helpful link:
https://www.backyardchickencoops.com.au/introducing-new-chickens-to-your-flock

 

[lazy gardener]

A lot depends on your friends set up. If she is set up to take care of chicks and integrate them into her adult flock, and keep them safe from predators, then it would work.

 

[PlymouthRockBBredSebright]

fine to mix.... but for meat i would suggest a cornish rock

 

[chickengeorgeto]

The term "Free Range Chicken" is misleading. All free range means in the market place is that the grower opened the door of his chicken house once each day and allowed the chicken therein a short opportunity to go out side. Because meat birds grow very fast, are incredibly clumsy, besides lazy, it wouldn't surprise me if less than one in 10,000 free range meat chickens have ever felt grass under their toes. Please remember how adverse chickens are to new things before you disagree.

 

[PlymouthRockBBredSebright]

The term "Free Range Chicken" is misleading. All free range means in the market place is that the grower opened the door of his chicken house once each day and allowed the chicken therein a short opportunity to go out side. Because meat birds grow very fast, are incredibly clumsy, besides lazy, it wouldn't surprise me if less than one in 10,000 free range meat chickens have ever felt grass under their toes. Please remember how adverse chickens are to new things before you disagree.

Actually, I know people who have reasonably large meat flocks, all of which birds from each flock were outside all day and only inside at night.

 

[aart]

Actually, I know people who have reasonably large meat flocks, all of which birds from each flock were outside all day and only inside at night.

But it would be good to let the OP answer the 'free range' question