Our Broiler Project

[AAchicks]

Looking good. I like the way you used hens to raise them.

Thanks! I am convinced that if one wants to free-range their broilers, this is the way to go. While they loved their daily snack of high protein feed, they were excellent at foraging! And I think this is mainly due to the mama hens raising them and teaching them how to do so. I wouldn't raise them any other way.

 

[Northern.Ontario]

Thanks! I am convinced that if one wants to free-range their broilers, this is the way to go. While they loved their daily snack of high protein feed, they were excellent at foraging! And I think this is mainly due to the mama hens raising them and teaching them how to do so. I wouldn't raise them any other way.

4-5lbs for a 12 week Cornish cross is pretty small. Mine were 10-11 weeks old and foraged/free ranged within their poultry fence and weighed in at 6-9lbs. I fed them once a day.

 

[AAchicks]

4-5lbs for a 12 week Cornish cross is pretty small. Mine were 10-11 weeks old and foraged/free ranged within their poultry fence and weighed in at 6-9lbs. I fed them once a day.

I don’t know, I thought the size was really good and I’m happy with it. Genetics can play a role, so maybe that has something to do with it. Mine were allowed access to 5-8 acres around the pen and they would go far.

I’m not really looking for the fastest growing bird as I think that can impact quality (hence why the white striping and “wooden breast” is becoming an issue). I just want a bird that grows moderately and has the good flavor.

 

[AAchicks]

4-5lbs for a 12 week Cornish cross is pretty small. Mine were 10-11 weeks old and foraged/free ranged within their poultry fence and weighed in at 6-9lbs. I fed them once a day.

Also, these were all pullets at post processing weight. I know the cockerels can grow much faster but I unfortunately was not able to compare that.