Questions from a newbie!

[kyliesmommax5]

Hey there. I was sent 15 red broilers by mistake and now they are 9 wks old and ready to butcher. My question was can I keep a few hens to produce more meat birds?
And any other helpful hints for a first time butcher would be great!! Thanks!!

 

[Judy]

Quote:
Trouble is, red broilers are not a breed, they are a cross, so will not breed true.

That said, they might very well produce some similarly good meat birds. I would try it, for sure.

You do understand you need a rooster to make more birds, right?

 

[kyliesmommax5]

Quote:
Trouble is, red broilers are not a breed, they are a cross, so will not breed true.

That said, they might very well produce some similarly good meat birds. I would try it, for sure.

You do understand you need a rooster to make more birds, right?

lol yes I do. I have about 60 birds in my brooder now. But I wont be able to keep any of the red broiler roosters because their knees already seem to be weak.

 

[Judy]

Well, now, that is interesting. Wonder what the heck they are? Why would their knees be weak? Is there a relationship between them and Cornish X? Not that the hatchery will tell....

 

[kyliesmommax5]

Im not sure but when they try and run their legs seem to just give out. So Im not sure. Imthinking that they weigh about 4-5 lbs.

 

[Judy]

But how old are they?

 

[kyliesmommax5]

10 wks tuesday

 

[Judy]

Sorry, I see you had given the age. I was falling asleep.

5 lbs in 10 weeks sure sounds like they can't be too far removed from Cornish X; bet there is some Cornish in there somewere. I've often wondered what those red or black broilers were. I'd cross a couple of hens with your RIR or supposed BO birds and see what I got, for sure. RIR are very tasty.