Processing Day Support Group ~ HELP us through the Emotions PLEASE!

[fisherlady]

Processed birds this weekend. I had 17 freedom Rangers, and my friend brought 13 of her birds-a mixture of freedom rangers and some extra roosters.

My largest FR was the same weight as my smallest CX that we did last time. Most birds were 4 and a half pounds. I had one weigh in at 5 lbs 4 oz., and one 3 lb-er. They are resting in the fridge and later today they go in the freezer. This time went MUCH SMOOTHER than last time. I had a sharper knife, and more people helping.

Glad it went better for you! Will be great to have a freezer full of chicken to start out your winter! How old were your rangers? (Sorry if you mentioned it earlier and I forgot, I have trouble keeping up with who has which birds! LOL)

 

[off-grid hen]

Just over 10 weeks old. It was weird, some SEEMED to be bigger than my CX, but I guess my memory is sketchy because they weren't, obviously. My smallest CX was 5 lbs, and the biggest CX was 7.1 lbs. these FR waddled once they got 6 weeks old, just like the other chickens. I might go with a mixture f CX and Fr next time to do side by side comparisons.

 

[ronott1]

Just over 10 weeks old. It was weird, some SEEMED to be bigger than my CX, but I guess my memory is sketchy because they weren't, obviously. My smallest CX was 5 lbs, and the biggest CX was 7.1 lbs. these FR waddled once they got 6 weeks old, just like the other chickens. I might go with a mixture f CX and Fr next time to do side by side comparisons.

Good job on the processing!

They seem bigger because of the longer bones. CX are squat in structure and put a lot of energy into growing all of that meat.

 

[fisherlady]

Good job on the processing!

They seem bigger because of the longer bones. CX are squat in structure and put a lot of energy into growing all of that meat.

+1 on the longer bones giving a 'bigger' impression. No doubt they were at least an inch or two taller than your CX. I processed a group of freedom rangers this past summer for someone (actually also helped someone else with their FRs also, same age range). They were in the 18 wk range. Were a nice carcass but I sure saw the difference between them and my CX I had done a couple of months earlier.

CX had a lot heavier breast meat, but bone length caused shorter (though nicely meaty) leg/thigh pieces. FRs had more leg/thigh portions with a thinner, but longer breast filet.

If someone were to ask me which meat bird I preferred my reply would have to be that both are great at providing good food to weight conversions and a choice should be based on what type of meat you or your family prefer. For folks who are big on the white meat and thick full breasts for stuffing, or a thick meat to bone ratio for roasting then I would go with the CX. For folks who have a craving for dark meat I think they may prefer the results from a FR.... but that is just my personal opinion from my exposures to the two types. Others may have found things different just due to hatchery differences in their breeds.

 

[off-grid hen]

Yeah, I might get a mixture of birds from different places just to have some variety. I'm thinking about game girds, but I don't know. As of now, DH is talking about getting a few turkeys.

I have never done Buckeyes or Delawares, but I might give them a go to see the difference with a more slow-maturing bird.

 

[fisherlady]

Yeah, I might get a mixture of birds from different places just to have some variety. I'm thinking about game girds, but I don't know. As of now, DH is talking about getting a few turkeys.

I have never done Buckeyes or Delawares, but I might give them a go to see the difference with a more slow-maturing bird.

We currently have 6 buckeyes who are 8 wks old, don't know how many are roos yet, but they will most likely go to the pot. If/when they do I will let you know how the carcass weight, characteristics are. We got them as dual purpose for our broody to hatch on her last batch. They are certainly nice, solid bodies so far.

 

[off-grid hen]

Thanks, I appreciate it! Let me know how the hens lay too!

 

[aoxa]

My second batch of CX are super small at 9 weeks. They are heavy, but really tiny compared to the first batch. Probably because forage is not as plentiful as in summer.. Maybe? They aren't starving. May take a little longer to be ready, which is fine by me.






I guess they aren't all that tiny.. You can see them in these photos.


Feeding time is a big ordeal.


The two hens I kept are 16 weeks and massive. I won't be keeping them for the winter. I can't figure out how to limit their feed without forage available. They are still running. They look very large when running, but they do it no problem.

This one is squatting for me now.

 

[Beekissed]

Same genetic source as last group? My last ones were built just like these and they were very slow to grow...didn't start showing some true growth until around 10 wks or so. Overall I was pretty disappointed with their body style and meat capacity compared to my first batch from a different source, but I reasoned they still had more meat on them than a regular DP bird and got it there quicker while using just marginally more feed then trying to get DP birds to that age. So, in the end, still more bang for the buck and a much quicker bang.

 

[aoxa]

Same genetic source as last group? My last ones were built just like these and they were very slow to grow...didn't start showing some true growth until around 10 wks or so. Overall I was pretty disappointed with their body style and meat capacity compared to my first batch from a different source, but I reasoned they still had more meat on them than a regular DP bird and got it there quicker while using just marginally more feed then trying to get DP birds to that age. So, in the end, still more bang for the buck and a much quicker bang.

Same source as far as I know.. the feed store told me that they were from a local hatchery. I am really surprised by the difference in body type. This second batch is more active, and less feisty with feed. Their tails are also higher and their legs not as thick.