Ugly meaties!

[CANDLE98]

Wow i am on week 3 with my meaties and they are sooo ugly! I know that the 3 week point for regular chicks is their akward time, but wow are the meat chicks way worse! My chicks are growing so fast that they can't feather in fast enough so they are all pink! And boy are they lazy! I thought a 10X10 area for 50 of them was mean, but all they do is lay around anyway! I sure can't wait until slaughter time!

 

[backyardmenagerie]

No kidding! And they only get marginally more attractive just before processing. Though I think it helps make it easier to kill and eat them, since they are so ugly.

And if you are interested in weighing your meaties and comparing others results, check out the thread in my signature.

 

[Oregon Blues]

Not terribly attractive and really not very bright. It does make it easier to not get attached to them, which in turn, makes it easier to have them processed.

They are really really tasty, though. Especially if you let them get out to scratch in the dirt, eat a few bugs, nibble on the grass.

 

[LarryPQ]

Really? I love my meaties. I kinda wish I didn't have to process them soon. they are friendly and nice, and don't start fights.

Sure, they went through an ugly stage, but it was SUUUPER short.

I let mine free range with the rest of the flock, and let me tell you---there isnt much funnier than watching a small flock of 8-week meaties try to run.

 

[SteveH]

Quote:
Yep; they're an altogether different looking and more natural acting bird when raised in a manner that does not take advantage of their natural ability for rapid growth. They will still have the problems of the CX later, but they can be raised to process sizes a little slower and remain healthy and better looking.

 

[LarryPQ]

Even so...They are out and about right now, and they aren't big into the exploring thing. They go 15 feet, take a break under the trailer. Maybe nap. Go 15 feet, catch a few winks under the '71 Chevy.

On a good day, they'll make it all the way to the tree. ~50' from their pen.

None have made it to my back door yet.

I WANTED to give them to broodies...but when they showed up there were no broodies except my Frizzle, Curly. She took one of the meaties...but there were issues:

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

your's are much cleaner than mine!!!!!

also HELLLOOOO IDAHO!

 

[stormylady]

Wow I don't get it, mine are only 1 week old and i think they must be the chicks they use on all the greeting cards and easter comercials, hard to believe that they will get ugly, I got just 2 meaties this time to see what it is like to raise them and they are sooooo friendly they might just be lazy but they are the ones that come running to be held whenever I put my hand in the pen. Well will see what they look like in a couple of weeks, either way they have a destiny,until then they will get all the love and special treatment my layer girls get, wish they would come up with a layer chick with all the friendly pet qualities of these little guys. Sandy

 

[Dogfish]

Cute ends at day 5.

 

[Bossroo]

Gorgous begins at day 42

... out of the oven or Barbie , all taned up and onto the dinner table as guest of honor !!!