What breed of Meatie should I order?

[mamachicken]

Hi all.
We want to grow something different from the usual Cornish X this year. This is going to be our 2nd year of growing meaties and I'd like to go with a bird that enjoys eating a little grass now and then. The Cornish basically sat in front of thier feeders and only moved when we moved the chicken tractor. They are tasty birds, but I want something less 'genetically altered', more heritage and something that likes to eat bugs, dirt and grass (beside it's usual grain). I know that the heritage birds take a little longer to grow out - that's OK.
I read about the Kosher King breed, but cant seem to find a hatchery or breeder that is local. (We live in Minnesota)

Anyone have suggestions on where I can find these or another breed that might work just as well?

 

[Laskaland]

Quote:
First:

I ordered my meaties this time from www.JMhatchery.com They are called colored free rangers, will do really well in the tractors, and have a better feed conversion ration because they actually like to eat grass and bugs, and...
They take slightly longer to reach max size (maybe 2 weeks longer) but the mortality rate is lower.

Good Luck!
Christina

 

[PurpleChicken]

I second Laskaland.

Our Colored Range Broilers were AWESOME!!!! We also did a batch
of Cornish X in 2008. jmhatchery.com is a pleasure to deal with also.

Here is a pic of a 7 week old Ranger on a scale. My son hypnotized it
on the scale.

An earlier pic:

Some of ours after we processed:

 

[mamachicken]

Thanks for the info!!

 

[mamachicken]

Good grief - how do you hypnotize a chicken? I'd like to do that to a couple of my layer Roos that like to attack!!

 

[AHappychick]

yes please explain the hypno thing!

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
Check out https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=86779

My friend taught me to do it. I thought he was playing a trick on me.

Works on ducks too. Here is a Muscovy from jmhatchery.com
If you like duck meat let me just say WOW. The males are 12 pounds
by 12 weeks.