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Compared to 17 weeks for what?
My Freedom Rangers were plenty big for a meal plus leftovers at 11 weeks. And, that's not because my family doesn't eat much. The weights are posted elsewhere. But, there seems to be much more varied results with Rangers than with Cornish Crosses.
I expect the opening poster's concern about fat had much more to do with his feeding them corn than with genetics.
Sorry -- It was 17 weeks for the Rangers. They just didn't get as much meat as I was expecting. I let the Xs go to 11 weeks without any problem. Even took them up to be processed on a 90 plus degree day and didn't lose any. I did the same nonmedicated 24% protein feed and the Xs were reduced down to a 20% at the age of 5/6 weeks. Both types free ranged and I was sure to keep the Xs water a distance from the feed. The crosses had to work for their feed from the age of three weeks on -- I spread it over a couple of different places and they had to scratch for it (unless it was raining). I know it's kinda funny to think that them scratching for feed was working, but for the chubby little Xs it is
. The Xs came dressed out at 5-7lbs (with one 3.5lbs). I didn't have a scale at the time, but the rangers were definitely not as meaty. Had quite alot of carcass instead of meat.
Corn does put fat on them. I only give corn to them in the last week. I was just happier with the Xs. I am hoping I will be just as happy in the coming year with them.
I did keep the Ranger hens back for layers. I did not see the point of them being butchered -- not much meat on them. I still have a couple of the hens and I sold the other 5 hens as layers. Still laying a year later. The hens are sweet, but the roos that went into the freezer were ornery by the time processing time came. I hated going into the coop by the end of it!! They do taste good, though. A much stronger chicken taste than any store bought chicken!
Compared to 17 weeks for what?
My Freedom Rangers were plenty big for a meal plus leftovers at 11 weeks. And, that's not because my family doesn't eat much. The weights are posted elsewhere. But, there seems to be much more varied results with Rangers than with Cornish Crosses.
I expect the opening poster's concern about fat had much more to do with his feeding them corn than with genetics.
Sorry -- It was 17 weeks for the Rangers. They just didn't get as much meat as I was expecting. I let the Xs go to 11 weeks without any problem. Even took them up to be processed on a 90 plus degree day and didn't lose any. I did the same nonmedicated 24% protein feed and the Xs were reduced down to a 20% at the age of 5/6 weeks. Both types free ranged and I was sure to keep the Xs water a distance from the feed. The crosses had to work for their feed from the age of three weeks on -- I spread it over a couple of different places and they had to scratch for it (unless it was raining). I know it's kinda funny to think that them scratching for feed was working, but for the chubby little Xs it is
Corn does put fat on them. I only give corn to them in the last week. I was just happier with the Xs. I am hoping I will be just as happy in the coming year with them.
I did keep the Ranger hens back for layers. I did not see the point of them being butchered -- not much meat on them. I still have a couple of the hens and I sold the other 5 hens as layers. Still laying a year later. The hens are sweet, but the roos that went into the freezer were ornery by the time processing time came. I hated going into the coop by the end of it!! They do taste good, though. A much stronger chicken taste than any store bought chicken!
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