Raising dual-purpose breeds

[Uzuri]

Hey nice. I didn't realize that they were still so many cooking option for later on.

And heck, Mom cooks almost all her chicken like they describe for the roasters in that document. Until they fall apart... Mmmm! So that age would be just right for me anyway.

 

[jenjscott]

You can raise the pullets the same as the cockerels. Actually the 30% feed is recommended for free ranging, so it would be perfect for your situation. At about 16 weeks, I would pick out the best looking pullets for your layers and get them settled into a coop with nestboxes and layer feed. Keep them up for a week or so, then let them out into a pen. When you do the deed to the others, you can start free ranging them again. Depending on how much area she has available for ranging, a movable coop would be useful for the layers, as it would utilize the area better.

 

[lmblackburn]

This was our first year raising chickens. We got a mixed lot of day old chicks in Mid-June, 10 cockerels and 10 pullets. We chose Plymouth barred rocks and buff orpingtons. All of the chickens were kept together and allowed to free range until butchering day. We did the deed at 22 weeks and most of the birds weighed around 4 lbs processed. The pullets didn't start laying until about 28 weeks of age.

I know the dual purpose breeds aren't as big as the heavies, but they are tasty and we were very proud to be able to butcher our own. Good luck!

 

[thespinningcottage]

I have enjoyed reading this thread as we're getting ready to embark on this journey. I wanted to ask all you knowledgeable folks more about the feed. Would you give the chicks medicated starter? Or just go straight to the high protein feed? I don't care if the meat is considered "organic," I just want it to be safe for my family.