Red Broilers vs. Freedom Rangers ?? Regular Cornish?

[jBlaze]

I am now considering either Red Broilers of the Freedom Rangers. The Freedom rangers are more expensive, and the descriptions for the reds are almost the same. Is there any reason to get the Freedom Rangers not the Red Broilers?
What about regular Cornish?
All the descriptions say that they forage and that they grow a bit slower than the Cornish Cross (frankenbird), and they are not supposed to have the problems.

Cost to ME: (with shipping)
J&M Freedom Rangers: $2.80 each for 25 or $2.30 each for 50
Hoffmans Red Broilers: $2.24 each for 25 or $1.70 for 50
Ideal Red Broilers: $1.92 each for <25 or $1.82 for <50 or $1.74 for 50+
Ideal Cornish: $2.09 each for <25 or $1.99 for <50 or $1.91 for 50+


I am un-decided, lol. Comparisons would be appreciated!
I plan to raise them in a 12x12 stall with feed, water and low roosts as a safe area, and allow them to free-range as they like in our livestock pastures. (The CX are not the least interested in foraging.)
Thanks!

 

[jBlaze]

I am still trying to research these, lol.

http://www.randallburkey.com/Broilers/products/497/

http://www.jmhatchery.com/free-range-broiler/freedom-ranger-chicks/prod_5.html?review=read


https://secuservices.com/ideal/newideal/selectproduct.aspx?qty=1&ID=RBS&Product=402

https://secuservices.com/ideal/newideal/selectproduct.aspx?qty=1&ID=DCS&Product=1090

Looks like the cornish is a denser meat. So between the Rangers and the Reds, not sure which yet, lol.

 

[Amyable]

I only looked at the JM website. The freedom rangers are priced at $2 each, then drops down to $1.50 at 50 birds. I think that's very reasonable. I do believe they are hatched by some WI Amish farmers also. That would be a little closer to you. I am also very interested in freedom rangers, I don't care for the intense husbandry of CornishX. Hope someone else with more experience can chime in.

 

[jBlaze]

Ya, it's the shipping that's hurting. grrr.

 

[mike67909]

I like the rangers, not sure about the reb broilers I am guessing they are similar

 

[jaku]

Isn't "Freedom Ranger" just a brand name for a red broiler?

 

[canada-goose]

Quote:
There are several types of "Freedom Rangers". Some are barred, some are red, some are more golden.

 

[jBlaze]

Well, I can order from Ideal of J&M. Still not sure which. J&M probably has better everything, hu?
Better birds, better service, etc. Ideal has variety, and can supposedly get them to me a week sooner.
Hummmmm........?
LOL

 

[Peruvian]

I raised Moyer's CX and K-22 Red Broilers last summer. They were raised together, first in a brooder and in a tractor at 3 wks. The CX were processed at 8 weeks, the Red Bros at 12. By 12 weeks the RedBro roosters were crowing and waking us up in the morning. We were glad to be rid of them. The average processed weight was around 4lbs (vs closer to 5lb avg for the CX). They did have a great taste but between the cost, the crowing, and cutting into our summer "free" time, we decided to go back to CX. BTW our CX have always been decent foragers and relatively active. Raising them on pasture and moving them daily is well worth it.

 

[chickennoodles]

Quote:
When you raise on pasture, are they free to roam during the day and in at night, or do you keep them under a net or pen? We have a 1.2 acre pastrue and wondered what the best way would be to let them forage. A few dogs around, but not too many other predators. And don't want to cut out the summer free time, either.