Just thought I'd comment for others sake about my first time meat bird experience. This past June I bought 15 R.I.R. chicks (all female) to raise primarily for meat birds knowing I'd keep at least 3-4 as layers. I wanted to try something else besides Cornish X. It didn't turn out so well. No problems with the birds health or anything, I kept them until they were about 5 mo. old (just trying to fatten them up a bit!). I fed them all 21% feed the whole time, but they never got very big so I slaughtered them anyway. They averaged about 2 1/2 to 3 lbs. each. Not much meat on those bones. I also found the meat to be a little tougher than I'm used to and a pretty strong flavor comparatively speaking, not "gamey" but strong. I haven't gone through the trouble to figure the cost to weight ratio or anything, but considering my time & effort, cost of feed, risk of loss, cost to store (freeze) I don't feel it was worth it. Of course the alternative would be to raise Cornish X instead, a whole different story I realize. But around here (central CA) I can buy those for $.77-.99 cents a pound pretty reliably on sale. Unless that scenario changes, I think I'll just stick to layers. Any feedback is welcome. Tim in CA