Things I Learned When Raising Broilers

[GreatBreeder]

Why did you choose Western Rustics? What weight did you attain? Interested in your selection process as I'm trying to figure it out for next year. 2017 is a try it and see.

My part of chickens was harvesting them - wife wanted Leghorn layers. So I dove in and got Barred Plymouth Rocks. Now asking what the "best" option is. After reading the stories of the Cornish crosses, not sure I want to raise those. I like duck, so slower growing chickens sound better than the grocery store ones.

The first flock is 10 weeks and I'm thinking going to 16 weeks before the first harvest. Plan to do it in the backyard, like prepping a limit of ducks, so 14 birds in 3 harvests are 5 birds each. What interests me are the Rhode Island Reds (3) are larger than the Plymouth Rocks (11). Need to weigh them. Did not do a feed conversion since they are getting kitchen scraps and share the coop with the Leghorns.

From the Ideal Poultry website for hens since I'm city, the White Rocks are 7.5 lbs and RIR at 6.5 lbs compared to the Barred Rocks at 6 lbs mature weight. Open to ideas.

As an alternative to conventional broilers and a better ranger.

If you still want the good meat yield and healthy broilers, free range cx and restrict their feed from day 1.

I chose Western Rustics because they are a meat breed, and they are heritage. They grow slowly and naturally, unlike Cornish Giants who eat tons and are ready for butcher at 8 weeks. Some of our friends won't even eat Cornish Giant meat.
My chickens weighed 7-8 LBs live weight at 12 weeks.

There are not a ton of meat breeds: your local hatchery or farm store will probably have a magazine with the breeds they sell advertised. They normally say if the chicken is dual purpose, a layer, or a meat breed.

I wouldn't recommend Cornish Giants. What's the use or raising them naturally if they grow unnaturally?

You normally want to butcher meat breeds at 12 weeks.

Dual purpose, in my opinion, would grow faster than layers, since they have more meat than regular layers.

16 weeks for dual purpose breeds is okay. Just keep in mind that after about 12 weeks the food goes more into the bones than the meat.

Yes, Cornish Giants, or White Rocks, are meat breeds. They are meant to grow, and fast. The Barred Rocks and RIRs, though, are not.

Western Rustics are actually a rustic cross, not a heritage breed.

 

[BYCforlife]

As an alternative to conventional broilers and a better ranger.

If you still want the good meat yield and healthy broilers, free range cx and restrict their feed from day 1.


Western Rustics are actually a rustic cross, not a heritage breed.

Oops, I meant natural. I mix up the difference all the time.

 

[GreatBreeder]

Oops, I meant natural. I mix up the difference all the time.

I call them rustic.