tough meat

[morton]

They are very easy to raise as long as you're prepared to keep them clean. They will move less than your heritage, but will produce twice the waste of any other bird you've ever seen. Some people raise them in pens that are as small as 1.5 sq. ft. per bird, but I feel happier and my birds are healthier in 4 sq. ft. per bird. Once they hit 5 weeks or so, they'll need new grass (in a moveable pen) or new bedding every day or even twice a day depending on how small the pen is. The biggest issues with them are overconsumption of feed--we remove feed after 12 hours--and things like broken legs, overheating, and heart attacks. A larger pen will help with both the broken legs and the overheating. Don't give them perches, they can break their legs jumping down. But mostly, they are silly, waddling things the beep at you and will sit in the feed bowl and eat rather than run around chasing bugs. I like them very much, and think they're cute. Not many others think they're cute, though!

Processing couldn't be easier. Those loosely-held feathers will almost fall out in your hand. The cavity is so large you can get your whole hand in there. Easy peasy. Add to that the fact that they only hang around for 7-8 weeks, they're way easier (to me) than heritage birds. I do know that others on BYC vehemently disagree with me.

Thank you. Can they walk on fencing? do they have to graze or can they get greens in another mannor?

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Thank you. Can they walk on fencing? do they have to graze or can they get greens in another mannor?

Not sure what you mean by "walk on fencing," sorry.


They don't have to graze. Heck, they don't have to have any greens at all if you don't want to. Technically, they'll grow faster if you don't give them greens because the greens they eat dilute the protein level of the feed. Ours graze, because if we wanted to eat chicken that had never seen the sun, we'd buy from the store. But it's not necessary in any way.

 

[Kmed12]

I am very new to all of this. When hens are past the egg laying age are they too old to eat? Can I eat golden comets?

 

[PAJerry]

You will probably find that comets aren't worth the effort to butcher - they are egg laying machines with very little meat. My first flock was half comets and I just buried them when they were ready to replace.