Supplemental Meat Production Plan

[Papaw-John]

Supplemental Meat Production
My wife is supportive of my desire to start raising chickens and quail as a supplemental source of healthier meat. I am not worried about it being cheaper that store bought meat. We are wanting to have a better quality of meat for better health. Here is what I am planning.

Chickens:
I am planning on buying a starter flock of Freedom Ranger Chickens, about 30. They get to 5-6 lbs. in 9-11 weeks (according to their site.) I want to keep some as layers along with a rooster to be a source of eggs to incubate to keep the production going. They are heavy birds, so I don’t think I will have too much of a problem with them flying out of their run. I am going to expand the run to 1/2 acre. I am choosing these chickens after reading about them on here on Backyard Chickens. I do not want a bird that gets so big so fast, it is unhealthy. I want happy chickens.

Quail:
I have 24 Jumbo Brown Coturnix eggs in the incubator now. I have had quail before, they are easy to care for and reproduce. They are large enough to process in 2 to 2 1/2 month.

Production Plan:
Incubate 20 chicken eggs every 3 month and incubate 40 quail eggs every 2 months.
I think that should be enough to provide 1 chicken and 4 quail every week. I feel this is a small and reasonable plan. I could incubate more eggs less often, but I do not want a chicken that has been in the freezer too long. Input and advice is welcome. I have a lot to learn, so I am willing to take advice.

Thanks, Papaw-John

 

[RUNuts]

Hello from too close to Houston!

I've been reading on this site that some people say Freedom Rangers won't breed true after a few generations (don't quote me, my memory is my memory). Read the TOAD and Bresse threads concerning keeping health flocks. Well, there are several others too.

Since I have neighbors, roosters are not allowed (I'm planning to move). I'll buy chicks and raise them. Although, I am very interested in your plans. Keep us updated and best wishes.

Are you planning on keeping layers or eating the extra eggs from the Freedom Rangers and quail?

 

[Papaw-John]

Thanks RUNuts, I lost my flock to predators a couple of years ago and was so upset, I am just not getting birds again. I already hatch some. I have ducks (just released on my pond) and 3 emus that hatched. Currently in incubation I have guineas, Rhode Island Reds, Heritage turkeys and the Jumbo Quail. Not sure why I ordered the emu eggs off eBay, but now I have Emus?

But to answer your question, I do plan to keep some of the Freedom Rangers in the flock. I plan to isolate them with a rooster when I need eggs to incubate. I really do not want a production so big that requires so much labor there is no love left in it. I want it to remain a labor of love

I will be processing the Rhode Island Red roosters first. I will look into the choice of meat birds a little more. I am not committed to the Freedom Rangers just yet.

 

[RUNuts]

Emus - heard they were tougher and stronger flavored than turkeys. Interesting. And with a terrible attitude. Coyotes got the ones on the game ranch. No one liked eating them except the coyotes.

Sounds like you are well on your way. Opinions wanted.

There is no wrong answer. Just be flexible. I'm reading a lot and forming a plan. That will change many, many times. Thanks for sharing and keep us informed.