Thinking of giving up on the rangers at 6 weeks

[TimG]

Can you put the rangers in with the layers?

I've got my rangers in with my Cornish crosses (first time for either and I wanted to compare). When the Cornish that are one week older than the rangers get processed, I will consider putting the rangers in with my hands (there's plenty of space, the only real issues would be how they will get along and whether they can all get by on the same food). But, for just a few days, you could overlook the food issue.

 

[jaku]

Don't give up on them completely- next time, just schedule your birds to be delivered when you won't be going anywhere for any length of time, as I agree- it's almost impossible to leave them for even a day.

 

[vermontgal]

I'm keeping them until 10 weeks after all. My dad will take care of them while I am gone this weekend. I do have an appointment with the mobile butcher now, which makes me feel better.

If I do try them again next year - I'll have a considerably revised schedule. Overall, though, I am gaining an appreciation for buying through my local farmers' market.

 

[One Acre Wonder Farm]

I wish I had seen this thread sooner!

I would have suggested having someone come feed/water 1x/day and leaving the tractor in one spot with a good layer of hay in the bottom of the tractor. Then when you get back, you move the tractor, scoop up the yucky mulch and add it to the compost pile. The grass underneath might be deadish but at least it wouldn't be a yucky stationary pile of poo.

I'm glad that it worked out for you and you won't have to process them early!

 

[vermontgal]

Hi One Acre - Thanks for that suggestion. I actually thought of that same approach myself, and I might set it up tomorrow, as I'm leaving on Sat. The tractor is a little hard for one person to move, although my dad (age 79) is probably still stronger than me!