Never Again!!!!

[mstricer]

Quote:
Something wasn't right if at 11 weeks you dressted at 2-3 lbs. They should be the same as the FR, mine at 12 weeks as I said smallest was 4 1/2 lbs and biggest 6 1/2 lbs. What did you feed them and how? If that is all I got for 11 weeks I'd be upset. You would have been better off doing CX's for that weight you would have to keep only 6 weeks.

 

[themagicash]

They started off at 28% for 4 weeks and then went to 20% till 11 weeks. I personally feel that every chicken (dp layer and meaties) that I get from this particular hatchery is smaller than usual. That probably sounds odd but I have layers from various hatcheries plus some from this hatchery and they are smaller. I have a barred rock from privet that is only 7 mos old and much larger than my BR from Ideal. My two RIRs from McMurray are much bigger than my BR, BA and BO from Ideal - which are older birds!

And yes, I was disappointed but I would try them again. I have cx that are about 1.5 weeks from harvest and am debating my next meat batch. I don't think I will do cx on my next batch so either red broiler or FR. Does any hatchery besides Ideal carry red broilers? Also, it hasn't really been clear to me if FR and red broiler are basically the same....

Ideal is only 2 hours from my house, so convenient!

 

[themagicash]

Oh and I fed the red broilers around the clock.

 

[NanaLantana]

I believe I read that FR is freedom ranger, a hardy type of red quick-growing bird. But not as fast as cornish X.

 

[mstricer]

If they tell you they are a slow grower to 11 to 12 weeks, then they are the same. They just can't call it a freedom ranger. Here is were I got mine. http://www.freedomrangerhatchery.com/purchase
I've bought twice from them and had no problem (it just takes to long) Even though my first batch got stuck at the post office for 2 days and traveled two days, I only lost 1. Second batch lost 0. I fed mine Purina Start and Grow for the first 10 weeks then bump them up to 20% Dumor Start and Grow. (both non-medicated). H