Need info on starting meat birds

[BScott03]

Freedom Rangers, from my understanding, were developed in France as a more natural, healthy alternative to the CX.  I processed my Freedom Rangers in batches, starting with the 6 largest birds when they were 9 weeks of age.  Those first 6 ranged from one pullet who was not thriving at just under 2 pounds to the largest at about 4 1/2 pounds, but most were right around 4 pounds fully dressed.  At week 10 I did 6 more that ranged from 4 - 5 pounds.  Week 11 I did the rest and there weren't any below 4 pounds and several above 5 pounds.  I actually kept 2 pullets and 1 rooster, hoping to hatch out some nice first generation FR babies in the spring.  However, the rooster turned out to be a brute who was hurting my hens, so I butchered him at about 6 months of age.  He was over 8 pounds dressed who made an awsome Coc au Vin dinner with leftovers to freeze for several more dinners.  One of the hens I butchered at maybe 10 months of age and she was over 7 pounds dressed (and made 2 delicious Chicken Fricassee dinners).  I still have the remaining FR hen, who is approaching a year.  She is easily twice the size of my EE hens and 1.5X the size of my BPR hens.  I will be adding her to the freezer when my remaining CX reach butchering age.  Only one of the 35 seemed to develop any leg problems and he was the first to go at 9 weeks.

Wow! It's so crazy how they grow so fast! I'm going to have to have my dad butcher them... I just think I will get too attached! I hunt and butcher my deer but it's not like I "knew" the deer! Haha we feed our cattle we butcher and pigs but it's still hard to take them to the meat locker! But man I love home raised meat SO much better than store bought. My husband thinks there's no difference.... He's crazy!

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

Last summers Freedom Rangers were the first animals I've ever killed and butchered. I've never been a hunter or a fisherman, but I wanted to be sure that the deed was done with as little stress and pain as possible so I felt I had to do it myself. There was never any question of my husband doing it for me...in fact he made me promise that I woudn't ask for his help on anything before I got them so I had to steel myself from the begining that these were intended for the table.

I must admit that I still really don't like the part where I take a live chicken and turn it into a dead chicken, but the actual processing doesn't bother me and I'm getting pretty good at it. I'm sure there are folks here who are much quicker and more efficient, but I do OK for a novice. Perhaps you could work out some sort of team approach with your dad where you get them after they've been killed and beheaded...maybe even plucked.

 

[BScott03]

Last summers Freedom Rangers were the first animals I've ever killed and butchered.  I've never been a hunter or a fisherman, but I wanted to be sure that the deed was done with as little stress and pain as possible so I felt I had to do it myself.  There was never any question of my husband doing it for me...in fact he made me promise that I woudn't ask for his help on anything before I got them so I had to steel myself from the begining that these were intended for the table.

I must admit that I still really don't like the part where I take a live chicken and turn it into a dead chicken, but the actual processing doesn't bother me and I'm getting pretty good at it.  I'm sure there are folks here who are much quicker and more efficient, but I do OK for a novice.  Perhaps you could work out some sort of team approach with your dad where you get them after they've been killed and beheaded...maybe even plucked.  

I totally agree you saying you felt better about it being human and less painful for the animal with you doing it yourself. That is very true! Yeah I don't think I would have a problem with anything but killing them! But who knows, I can see myself doing it one day!

 

[Evangelina]

at agrourica
how did you get your so big so fast? what can I give mine to get big like yours?

 

[homeworkin]

Raising meat more humanely is a huge part of why I decided to raise meat chickens. Has taken me a few years to work up to this though - this is my 4th batch of chickens and will be the first time I ever eat any of them. I don't fish or hunt and I hate killing anything, even poisonous spiders. I've learned to stomp a black widow at first chance, but I feel bad doing it. Not sure how it will go killing my chickens - but I have no problem cutting up those I get at the store now so I am hoping it works out ok.